📚 National Literacy Day: Why Reading and Writing Matter for Every Filipino

Did you know, kabayan, that the ability to read and write is one of the strongest weapons we have against poverty? In a country like the Philippines, where we often face challenges such as typhoons, brownouts, and limited access to quality education in rural areas, literacy becomes even more important.

Every National Literacy Day, we are reminded that reading and writing skills go beyond the classroom — they are essential tools for better jobs, healthier living, and a brighter future for every Filipino family.

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📖 What is National Literacy Day?

National Literacy Day is an annual celebration held in line with International Literacy Day every September 8. In the Philippines, it highlights the importance of education and encourages everyone — from children to adults — to continuously learn and grow.

The Philippine Context

• Rural and urban divide – Many Filipinos in remote areas still lack access to proper schools.

• Natural disasters – Classes are often disrupted during typhoons and floods.

• Poverty and employment – Limited literacy often leads to fewer opportunities for decent jobs.

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📌 Why Literacy Matters for Filipinos

1. A Weapon Against Poverty

Studies show that Filipinos with strong reading and writing skills are more likely to secure better jobs and higher income.

2. A Lifeline During Calamities

When disasters strike, literate citizens can quickly understand safety warnings, evacuation signs, and disaster guidelines from LGUs and NDRRMC.

3. Strengthening Communities

Literate Filipinos are more active in barangay meetings, elections, and community development programs.

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📚 Real-Life Examples in the Philippines

• Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan, 2013): Many lives were saved because people were able to understand disaster warnings and evacuation instructions.

• Distance Learning During the Pandemic: Literacy skills became the backbone of both students and parents in modular and online classes.

• DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS): A program that gives out-of-school youth and adults a second chance at education.

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🤔 FAQs About National Literacy Day

Q: When is National Literacy Day in the Philippines?
A: Every September 8, together with International Literacy Day.

Q: What is the goal of National Literacy Day?
A: To remind every Filipino that reading and writing are essential tools for personal and national growth.

Q: Are there government programs for literacy?
A: Yes, such as DepEd’s ALS, the Literacy Coordinating Council programs, and LGU-led literacy initiatives.

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✅ Conclusion: Literacy is Life

For Filipinos, reading and writing are more than skills — they are life, strength, and hope. This National Literacy Day, let’s make it our mission to support education for ourselves, our families, and our nation.

Call to Action: Spend a few minutes reading every day, support literacy programs in your community, and inspire the next generation of Filipinos to learn.

How to Compute Overtime Pay for DepEd Teachers (2025 Guide with Examples)

Filipino teachers are known for their dedication—often working beyond classroom hours to coach athletes, advise student leaders, or prepare lessons, even on weekends and holidays. But for decades, much of this work went unpaid.

That changes with the release of DepEd Order No. 026, s. 2025, which officially provides guidelines on the payment of overtime services for teachers. This landmark policy, rooted in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670), finally gives clarity on how teachers will be compensated for extra work.

If you’re a public school teacher, here’s a clear breakdown of how to compute your overtime pay, who qualifies, and what this means for the future of education in the Philippines.

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Why This Policy Matters

Teaching in the Philippines has always gone beyond classroom instruction. Teachers are advisers, coaches, coordinators, researchers, and community leaders. Previously, these extra tasks were often compensated only through Vacation Service Credits (VSC)—not actual pay.

With this new DepEd Order, the government is finally recognizing teachers’ extended hours as legitimate work that deserves proper monetary compensation. This is a big step toward teacher welfare, morale, and retention in public schools.

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Key Points of DepEd Order No. 026, s. 2025

1. Overtime Pay Rates

• 125% of hourly rate on regular workdays

• 150% of hourly rate on weekends, holidays, and special non-working days

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2. When Overtime Applies

Overtime is granted if:

• The work cannot be finished during regular hours.

• The task is essential, and non-completion could cause financial loss, government embarrassment, or program failure.

• The activity is school-approved and tied to the School Improvement Plan (SIP) or Annual Improvement Plan (AIP).

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3. Teaching-Related Assignments Covered

Examples of tasks that qualify:

• School coordinators (ICT, SPED, literacy, research, etc.)

• Trainers and advisers (sports, student government, school paper, clubs)

• Chairmanship roles (grade level or subject areas)

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4. Rules and Limitations

• Overtime must be approved by the school head.

• Only teachers with at least 6 teaching hours/day or 30 hours/week qualify.

• Work must be rendered inside school premises or learning centers.

• Minimum OT claim = 2 hours; less than that = VSC.

• Maximum OT = 4 hours/day on weekends and holidays.

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5. Computation Formula

$$\text{Overtime Pay} = (\text{Actual Hourly Rate} \times Overtime Multiplier) \times \text{Hours Rendered}$$

• Regular weekday OT = 1.25 × AHR

• Weekend/holiday OT = 1.5 × AHR

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Example: Computing Overtime Pay for a DepEd Teacher

Let’s say a teacher earns ₱44,000 per month, worked 10 hours of overtime on weekdays, and 5 hours on a Saturday.

Step 1: Compute Actual Hourly Rate (AHR)

$$AHR = \frac{44,000}{22 \times 8} = \frac{44,000}{176} = ₱250/hr$$

Step 2: Apply Overtime Rates

• Weekday OT rate = 1.25 × 250 = ₱312.50/hr

• Weekend OT rate = 1.5 × 250 = ₱375/hr

Step 3: Multiply by Hours Worked

• Weekday OT = 312.50 × 10 = ₱3,125

• Weekend OT = 375 × 5 = ₱1,875

✅ Total Overtime Pay = ₱3,125 + ₱1,875 = ₱5,000 (before tax deductions)

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Why This Matters for Teachers

• Fair Compensation: Extra work now has proper monetary value, not just service credits.

• Improved Morale: Teachers feel valued and motivated.

• Better Outcomes: Students benefit from motivated teachers in sports, journalism, remedial classes, and extracurriculars.

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Real-Life Scenarios

• Sports Training: A coach training athletes for Palarong Pambansa can now be paid for weekend practices.

• School Paper Advisers: Teachers preparing students for press conferences can receive OT pay.

• Holiday Programs: Brigada Eskwela, literacy drives, or student camps now qualify for overtime pay.

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FAQs on DepEd Overtime Pay

Q1: Who qualifies for overtime pay under DepEd Order 026, s. 2025?
👉 All full-time DepEd teachers in public elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and ALS teachers with official loads.

Q2: What if there’s no budget?
👉 Teachers will receive Vacation Service Credits (VSC) instead of cash.

Q3: Can overtime be done at home?
👉 No. Work must be done within school premises or DepEd learning centers.

Q4: What’s the minimum overtime claim?
👉 At least 2 hours. Anything less will be credited as VSC.

DepEd Overtime Pay Guidelines 2025: What Every Filipino Teacher Should Know

Filipino teachers are known for their dedication—often working beyond classroom hours to coach, advise, and prepare lessons, even on weekends and holidays. But for decades, much of this work went unpaid.

That changes with the release of DepEd Order No. 026, s. 2025, which officially lays down guidelines on the payment of overtime services for teachers. This landmark policy is rooted in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670) and finally provides clarity on how teachers will be compensated for extra work.

Here’s a breakdown of what this means for teachers, administrators, and the future of Philippine education.

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Background: Why This Policy Matters

Teaching in the Philippines has always been more than just classroom instruction. Teachers are advisers, coaches, researchers, and community leaders. Yet, most of these additional tasks were compensated only through vacation service credits (VSC), not actual pay.

With this new DepEd Order, the government is recognizing teachers’ extended hours as legitimate work that deserves proper monetary compensation. This is a big step toward improving teacher welfare, morale, and retention in public schools.

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Key Points of DepEd Order No. 026, s. 2025

1. Overtime Pay Rates

• 125% of hourly rate on regular workdays.

• 150% of hourly rate on weekends, holidays, and special non-working days.

This ensures teachers are fairly compensated when they extend their work hours.

2. When Overtime Applies

Teachers may render overtime if:

• The work cannot be finished within regular hours.

• The task is essential and its non-completion could result in financial loss, government embarrassment, or program failure.

• The activity is school-approved and tied to the School Improvement Plan (SIP) or Annual Improvement Plan (AIP).

3. Teaching-Related Assignments Covered

• School coordinators (ICT, research, literacy, SPED, etc.)

• Trainers and advisers (school paper, sports programs, student government)

• Chairmanship roles (grade level or subject areas)

4. Rules and Limitations

• Overtime must be approved by the school head before being rendered.

• Only teachers who have completed at least 6 hours of teaching per day, 30 hours per week are eligible.

• Work must be done within school premises or learning centers.

• Minimum overtime claim is 2 hours; otherwise, the teacher earns Vacation Service Credits.

• Maximum overtime allowed on weekends and holidays: 4 hours/day.

5. Computation Formula

Overtime Pay = (Actual Hourly Rate + Overtime Premium) × Total Hours Rendered

For example:

• A regular weekday overtime = 1.25 × AHR

• A weekend/holiday overtime = 1.5 × AHR

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Why This Matters for Teachers and Schools

Fair Compensation

Teachers can now be paid for activities like training athletes, conducting remedial classes, or organizing school events that go beyond class hours.

Improved Morale

Knowing that their time and effort are valued encourages teachers to give their best without feeling exploited.

Better Education Outcomes

With teachers more motivated, students also benefit from quality support in extracurricular and academic activities.

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Real-Life Examples

• Sports Events: A public school teacher coaching athletes for Palarong Pambansa can now be compensated for weekend practices.

• School Paper Advisers: Teachers working late for journalism training or press conferences are entitled to overtime pay.

• Holiday Programs: Activities like Brigada Eskwela or special literacy drives during weekends and holidays now qualify for extra pay.

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Conclusion: A Step Forward for Teacher Welfare

DepEd Order No. 026, s. 2025 is a victory for Filipino teachers. It affirms that their extra time is not “volunteer work” but professional service that deserves proper pay.

This is more than just a financial reform—it’s a statement that the Philippines values its teachers, the backbone of the nation’s education system.

As the new guidelines take effect, teachers should be proactive in understanding their rights, while school heads must ensure fair and transparent implementation.

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FAQs

Q: Who qualifies for overtime pay under DepEd Order 026, s. 2025?
A: All full-time DepEd teachers in public elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and ALS teachers with official teaching loads.

Q: What if there’s no budget for overtime?
A: Teachers will still earn Vacation Service Credits (VSC) instead of cash.

Q: Can overtime be rendered at home?
A: No, overtime must be rendered within school premises or community learning centers.

Expanded Career Progression System for Teachers: What You Need to Know

If you’re a teacher or school head in the Philippines, chances are you’ve heard about the new Expanded Career Progression System (ECPS) but still have questions about how it affects you. Will it change qualification standards? How will promotions and reclassifications work? What about those already in the system?

To answer these concerns, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development – Human Resource Development Division (BHROD-HRDD), is holding a National Orientation on September 2, 2025, via MS Teams and Facebook Live.

This orientation is more than just another webinar—it’s designed to ensure every teacher, school head, and HR officer understands how the ECPS will be rolled out, what policies apply, and what opportunities it opens up for professional growth.

Let’s break it down.

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What Is the Expanded Career Progression System?

The Expanded Career Progression System (ECPS) is DepEd’s updated framework for teacher and school head development. It is anchored on:

• DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025 – the main guideline for ECPS implementation.

• Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 – the foundation for career progression reforms in the education sector.

• DBM-DepEd Joint Circular No. 01, s. 2025 – which clarifies funding and staffing standards.

In simple terms, the ECPS aims to:

• Open more career pathways for teachers and school heads.

• Set clear qualification standards.

• Improve staffing guidelines.

• Ensure fair and transparent reclassification processes.

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Why the National Orientation Matters

The upcoming orientation is not just another policy update—it’s a crucial step in ensuring uniform understanding and smooth implementation across all governance levels.

Here’s what the orientation will cover:

1. Key Provisions of DO 024, s. 2025

Expect a clear explanation of the policy guidelines, what changes to anticipate, and how they affect teachers and school heads.

2. Transitory Provisions

Worried about how current positions will transition under the ECPS? The orientation will tackle how existing roles align with the new framework, so no one is left in the dark.

3. Qualification Standards & Staffing Standards

Find out the new requirements for promotions and reclassifications and how modified staffing standards will affect your division or school.

4. Policy Clarifications & Open Dialogue

One of the most important parts of the orientation is the Q&A and policy dialogue—giving HR officers, superintendents, and teachers the chance to seek clarification directly from DepEd officials.

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Who Should Attend?

DepEd has directed full participation from:

• Regional Directors

• Schools Division Superintendents

• Human Resource Management Officers (HRMOs)

• Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRMPSB) members and sub-committees

For teachers and school heads, attendance is optional to avoid class disruptions—but if you’re free on September 2, it’s worth tuning in via the official DepEd Philippines Facebook livestream.

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What This Means for Teachers and School Heads

If you’re a teacher, you might be asking: How does this affect me personally?

Here’s why you should pay attention:

• Clearer Promotion Pathways – No more confusion about the steps you need to move up the career ladder.

• Fairer Standards – Reclassification will follow updated, standardized guidelines.

• Professional Growth Opportunities – With structured career progression, you can plan your teaching journey with more confidence.

And for school heads:

• Better Alignment Across Divisions – Ensures that staffing and promotions are consistent nationwide.

• Less Ambiguity in HR Decisions – HRMOs and boards will have clearer policies to guide decisions.

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How to Join the Orientation

• Date: September 2, 2025

• Time: 8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

• Platforms:

  • MS Teams (for directed participants)

  • Facebook Live via the official DepEd Philippines Page

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Conclusion & Call-to-Action

The Expanded Career Progression System is a big shift in how DepEd supports the career growth of teachers and school heads. While policy updates can feel overwhelming, this orientation will make things clearer, fairer, and more transparent.

👉 Mark your calendars for September 2, 2025. Whether you’re an HR officer, school head, or teacher, this is your chance to understand the changes first-hand. Share this with your colleagues so no one misses out on this important update.

Philippine Holidays 2026: Complete List and Long Weekend Guide

Every Filipino knows that holidays are more than just a day off—they’re precious opportunities to rest, spend time with family, and plan adventures. With Proclamation No. 1006, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially declared the list of regular holidays, special non-working days, and additional rest days for 2026.

If you’re a hardworking employee, a parent planning bonding moments, or a traveler eager to schedule long weekends, here’s your complete guide to the 2026 Philippine holidays.

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Regular Holidays in 2026

These are nationwide days off with holiday pay rules guaranteed by law:

• January 1 (Thursday) – New Year’s Day

• April 2 (Thursday) – Maundy Thursday

• April 3 (Friday) – Good Friday

• April 9 (Thursday) – Araw ng Kagitingan

• May 1 (Friday) – Labor Day

• June 12 (Friday) – Independence Day

• August 31 (Monday) – National Heroes Day

• November 30 (Monday) – Bonifacio Day

• December 25 (Friday) – Christmas Day

• December 30 (Wednesday) – Rizal Day

👉 Tip: These dates are automatically non-working days, perfect for rest or quick getaways.

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Special (Non-Working) Days in 2026

Unlike regular holidays, “no work, no pay” applies here unless company policies provide otherwise.

• August 21 (Friday) – Ninoy Aquino Day

• November 1 (Sunday) – All Saints’ Day

• December 8 (Tuesday) – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

• December 31 (Thursday) – Last Day of the Year

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Additional Special (Non-Working) Days

To give Filipinos more family and travel time, these extra dates were also declared:

• February 17 (Tuesday) – Chinese New Year

• April 4 (Saturday) – Black Saturday

• November 2 (Monday) – All Souls’ Day

• December 24 (Thursday) – Christmas Eve

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Special (Working) Day

• February 25 (Wednesday) – 40th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution

This is a day of national commemoration but not a non-working holiday.

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Islamic Holidays (To Be Announced)

• Eid’l Fitr – based on the sighting of the moon

• Eid’l Adha – based on the Islamic calendar

The exact dates will be declared closer to 2026 by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

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Long Weekend Planner for 2026

Here’s how to maximize your time off:

January

• New Year’s Day (Jan 1, Thursday): File leave Jan 2 (Friday) → 4-day weekend.

February

• Chinese New Year (Feb 17, Tuesday): File leave Feb 16 (Monday) → 4-day weekend.

April (Holy Week + Araw ng Kagitingan)

• Maundy Thursday (Apr 2) & Good Friday (Apr 3): With Black Saturday (Apr 4) → 3 straight rest days.

• Araw ng Kagitingan (Apr 9, Thursday): File leave Apr 10 (Friday) → 4-day weekend.

May

• Labor Day (May 1, Friday): 3-day weekend.

June

• Independence Day (June 12, Friday): 3-day weekend.

August

• Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug 21, Friday): 3-day weekend.

• National Heroes Day (Aug 31, Monday): Another 3-day weekend.

November

• All Saints’ Day (Nov 1, Sunday) & All Souls’ Day (Nov 2, Monday): 3-day weekend.

• Bonifacio Day (Nov 30, Monday): 3-day weekend.

December (Holiday Season Stretch!)

• Christmas Eve (Dec 24, Thursday) + Christmas Day (Dec 25, Friday): 4-day weekend.

• Rizal Day (Dec 30, Wednesday) + New Year’s Eve (Dec 31, Thursday): File leave Dec 28–29 (Mon–Tue) → 6-day holiday stretch.

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Why This Matters

• Families: Plan bonding moments during Holy Week, Undas, and Christmas.

• Employees: Strategize leave credits for maximum rest days.

• Travelers: Book early for cheaper fares and accommodations.

• Businesses: Prepare for peak demand in food, retail, and travel sectors.

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Conclusion & Call-to-Action

The 2026 holiday schedule gives Filipinos plenty of opportunities to balance work, family, and fun. Start planning now—whether it’s a beach trip, a mountain adventure, or simply quality time at home.

👉 Which long weekend are you most excited for in 2026? Share your plans in the comments and tag your friends to start trip planning early!