More than 93,000 public school personnel are set to benefit from salary upgrades after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved an additional P8.68 billion for the Department of Education (DepEd). The funding supports the continued implementation of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System and covers salary differentials for qualified personnel whose positions have already been reclassified.
The development marks another significant step in the government’s effort to strengthen career opportunities for public school teachers and recognize professional growth within the education sector.
According to the DBM, the additional funding will benefit 93,344 reclassified positions nationwide. The amount is intended to cover the salary differentials associated with approved position reclassifications under the ECP System.
P8.68 Billion Released for Reclassified DepEd Positions
The Department of Budget and Management has approved the release of P8.68 billion to DepEd for the continued implementation of the Expanded Career Progression System.
The funding is particularly important for public school personnel whose positions have already been reclassified and who have the required Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) and appointments.
In practical terms, the release provides the funding needed to support the difference between the previous compensation associated with a position and the salary corresponding to the newly reclassified position.
The DBM said the P8.68-billion release will cover implementation requirements for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026. The funds will be charged against DepEd’s FY 2026 built-in Personnel Services lump-sum appropriations, following the funding strategy approved for the program.
For teachers and other qualified personnel who have completed the requirements for career advancement, the release represents an important financial component of the reclassification process.
More Than 93,000 Public School Personnel to Benefit
One of the most significant figures in the announcement is the 93,344 reclassified positions covered by the funding.
These positions are distributed across the country, making the development relevant to public school personnel in different regions and school divisions.
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon emphasized that career advancement should be accompanied by appropriate compensation.
The government’s position is straightforward: when educators advance professionally, their compensation should also reflect that advancement.
This is particularly relevant for teachers who continue to build their careers inside the classroom. Traditionally, professional advancement can sometimes be associated with moving away from direct teaching responsibilities. The ECP System is designed to create additional pathways that allow teachers to progress professionally while remaining connected to the teaching profession.
What Is the Expanded Career Progression System?
The Expanded Career Progression System is designed to provide public school teachers with broader opportunities for professional advancement and higher compensation.
The system recognizes that teachers can develop expertise, experience, leadership abilities, and specialized competencies while continuing to serve in the teaching profession.
The DBM and DepEd previously established the modified position classification and compensation scheme and career progression system for teachers and school heads through Joint Circular No. 2025-1. The framework introduced additional career opportunities, including new teaching positions and updated reclassification guidelines.
The broader objective is to make teaching a profession where educators can pursue long-term growth without necessarily having to leave classroom teaching simply to obtain career advancement.
For many public school teachers, this can be an important distinction. Career development is not only about receiving a higher salary. It can also involve recognition of experience, competence, professional accomplishments, and continued contribution to learners and schools.
Why the Salary Differential Matters
The phrase salary differential is important in understanding the latest announcement.
A reclassified position can carry a higher salary grade or compensation level than the employee’s previous position. However, the corresponding funding must be made available before the compensation associated with the approved reclassification can be fully implemented.
The newly released P8.68 billion is intended to address these implementation requirements for qualified personnel covered by the program.
This means the announcement is not simply about a new budget allocation for future positions. It is specifically connected to personnel with reclassified positions and the required documentation, including NOSCAs and appointments.
Teachers and other qualified personnel should therefore distinguish between the national release of funds and the actual processing of individual salary adjustments. The release establishes funding support, while the appropriate DepEd offices still need to process the corresponding requirements.
DBM Regional Offices to Facilitate Fund Releases
The DBM also outlined how the funding will move toward the regions.
Its Regional Offices will process and facilitate the corresponding fund releases to their respective DepEd Regional Offices. This mechanism is intended to help ensure that the necessary funding reaches the areas where qualified personnel are assigned.
For affected personnel, this means the next steps can involve administrative processing at the appropriate regional and local levels.
The national announcement is therefore an important milestone, but individual implementation may still depend on the completion and processing of the required personnel and compensation documents.
Bigger Funding Proposed for Teachers’ Career Advancement in 2027
The latest announcement also comes with a broader development for the education sector.
Under the proposed FY 2027 National Budget, the government has allocated P12.09 billion for the Expanded Career Progression System for public school teachers.
That amount is P5.94 billion, or 96.6 percent, higher than the FY 2026 funding, according to DBM. The proposed allocation is intended to support continued teacher reclassification and career advancement.
It is important to note that the FY 2027 amount is part of the proposed National Budget and should not be treated as a final appropriation until the budget process is completed.
Nevertheless, the proposed increase signals that teacher career progression remains a significant component of the government’s education spending priorities.
DBM has also identified education as a major priority in the proposed FY 2027 budget, with substantial resources directed toward teachers, students, and access to education.
What This Means for Public School Teachers
For teachers and other qualified public school personnel, the latest DBM announcement provides several important takeaways.
First, P8.68 billion has been released to DepEd to support salary differentials connected to qualified reclassified positions.
Second, 93,344 reclassified positions are covered by the funding.
Third, the release covers implementation requirements for FY 2025 and FY 2026 involving personnel with the necessary NOSCAs and appointments.
Finally, the government is proposing a much larger P12.09-billion allocation for the ECP System in FY 2027, potentially providing additional support for continued career advancement.
Teachers should also remember that a national funding announcement does not automatically mean that every teacher will receive the same salary increase or that all personnel are automatically covered. Eligibility depends on the applicable reclassification, appointment, documentation, and implementation requirements.
A Continuing Investment in the Teaching Profession
The release of P8.68 billion reflects a broader effort to strengthen the teaching profession through structured career advancement.
For a public school teacher, professional growth can involve years of classroom experience, training, additional responsibilities, demonstrated competencies, and continued service to learners. A career progression system seeks to ensure that these efforts have meaningful opportunities for recognition.
The proposed increase in ECP funding for 2027 further suggests that teacher career development will remain an important part of education policy and budget planning.
As the latest funding moves through the regional implementation process, affected public school personnel will be watching for the corresponding administrative actions and salary adjustments connected to their reclassified positions.
For now, the key figures are clear: P8.68 billion released, 93,344 reclassified positions covered, and P12.09 billion proposed for the ECP System in FY 2027.
The development represents another step toward building a public education system where teachers can pursue professional advancement while continuing to make a difference inside the classroom.