A TOTAL of 8,009 newly promoted public school teachers and school heads from Western Visayas took their oath of office at the Villareal Stadium in Capiz.

The ceremony was led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Friday.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the event marks the largest mass promotion ceremony under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system to date. It follows recent oath-taking ceremonies involving about 3,300 educators in Cebu, 2,600 in Davao, and 2,100 in Eastern Visayas.

“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, tinitiyak natin na wala nang guro ang mapag-iiwanan at ang bawat paghihirap ng ating mga guro ay may kapalit na tagumpay at tunay na pagkilala sa ilalim ng ECP,” said Angara, who administered the oath.

President Marcos, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, witnessed the historic event.

During the ceremony, Angara also recognized 57 of the longest-serving promotees, who have rendered 35 to 42 years of service. Among them were two educators who finally moved up from their long-standing Teacher I positions.