ILOILO City – More than 8,800 public school teachers in Western Visayas are seeking promotions and salary upgrades under the government’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program, with over half of the applications already approved, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 said.
As of March 10, DepEd-6 has submitted 8,829 requests for position reclassification to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and 50.10 percent have already been approved, signalling steady progress in the implementation of the program aimed at strengthening the teaching workforce in the region.
During a media conference on March 11, DepEd-6 regional director Dr. Cristito Eco said the initiative could significantly boost both teachers’ morale and classroom performance.
He stressed that the program is designed not only to raise teachers’ compensation but also to motivate them to pursue professional excellence.
Data presented by Atty. Jessica Sapalo, chief of the Administrative and Services Division of DepEd-6, showed strong participation across school divisions in Western Visayas.
Aklan logged the highest number of applications with 2,534, followed by Capiz with 2,292 and Iloilo province with 2,031.
Other requests came from Antique (158), Guimaras (450), Iloilo City (633), Passi City (290), and Roxas City (441).
The Expanded Career Progression program establishes a structured promotion system for educators, allowing advancement from Teacher I to Teacher VII, corresponding to Salary Grades 11 to 17.
A higher teaching track also enables qualified educators to move from Master Teacher I to Master Teacher V, equivalent to Salary Grades 18 to 22, while a separate administrative pathway allows promotions for school heads from School Principal I to IV.
The program is anchored on Republic Act 12288, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2025, which allows teachers to move up as much as three salary grades depending on their qualifications, experience, and contributions to the education system.
Education officials said the initiative underscores the government’s effort to professionalize teaching and improve the quality of education in Western Visayas by rewarding competence and dedication in the classroom./PN
