As the nation gives thanks to their outstanding contribution to the society.
On Monday, October 5,President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined 10,000 teachers in a mass gathering concluding the National Teachers’ Month 2026 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Educators from the National Capital Region and other parts of Luzon came together for the National Teachers’ Day celebration, which was also attended by national and local government officials.
This event marked the culmination of a month-long series of nationwide activities—supported by private organizations and government agencies—aimed at promoting teachers’ welfare, celebrating their achievements, and honoring their dedication.
Aside from that, other celebrations were also held around the country under the theme Teacher, Ikaw Naman! in Cagayan de Oro City for teachers in Mindanao and in Tacloban City for those in the Visayas.
In his message, President Marcos told teachers, “Every classroom carries within it the promise of our country’s future. It is where young minds learn to question, discover, and dream of what they may one day achieve. At the heart of this noble mission are our educators, whose task is to unleash our people’s potential and guide them towards greater possibilities in life.”
Marcos also said teachers help children realize their potential, with educators also helping shape the kind of society the country can build. Furthermore, he also recognized the sacrifices that come with the teaching profession and called for continued efforts to create an environment where educators can teach with purpose and learners can pursue knowledge with confidence and optimism.
“On this occasion, we recognize the sacrifices that accompany this profession and reaffirm our shared responsibility to cherish and uplift those who share our lives,” he aslo said.
The President also urged teachers to continue molding Filipinos who are to be mindful of the common good.
Marcos assured educators that his administration stands with them in addressing the changing demands of education and preparing schools for the challenges facing the next generation.
Thus, he disclosed efforts to improve the benefits, career opportunities, and working conditions of teachers, especially with the education sector having allocated the biggest budget in 2026.
PBBM also reported that 82,105 teachers and school heads had been promoted under the Expanded Career Progression System as of September. The Department of Education (DepEd) said an additional 135,000 are set for promotion under the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
He also highlighted improvements in the non-teaching workforce and streamlined paperwork, which reduces administrative responsibilities that take teachers away from classroom instruction.
Classroom observations were reduced from four per school year to one during School Year 2025–2026 and will be limited to two in succeeding school years.
As regards to the benefits and incentives, he said that administration is also improving benefits and incentives for educators suchtad their teaching and medical allowances.
“Kabilang dito ang World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit na matatanggap ninyo sa tuwing ika-lima ng Oktubre,” he noted the PHP 1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit to public school teachers.
DepEd also shared that the annual non-taxable Teaching Allowance has been increased to PHP 10,000, with the provision of an annual medical subsidy of up to PHP 7,000, and the implementation of five days of paid annual wellness leave.
Tbe Performance-Based Bonus for 2024 is already being processed, with the President having directrd concerned agencies to ensure an orderly and faster process.
“Patuloy ang pagproseso nito (2024 PBB), at inatasan natin ang mga kinauukulang ahensya na tiyaking maayos at mapabilis ang proseso,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos also assured educators that government initiatives to ease their workload, improve their benefits and provide greater opportunities for career advancement will continue as the administration strengthens the education sector.
DepEd has reduced the number of mandatory school forms from 174 to just five regular forms, the agency disclosed.
For FY 2026, neee positions were created. 10,000 positions for School Counselor Associates, 6,000 School Principal items, 11,268 roles for Administrative Officer II, and 5,000 positions for Project Development Officer I to handle administrative tasks.
For his part, Secretary Angara said: “[N]gayong pagdiriwang, sabi natin, ‘Teacher, Ikaw naman!’ Ang tagumpay ng ating mga mag-aaral, kabilang ang ating historic performance sa PISA 2025, ay hindi magiging posible kung wala ang sakripisyo, dedikasyon, at husay ng ating mga guro.”
The program at the Araneta Coliseum also featured the Recognition of Exemplary Teachers in Indigenous Peoples Education, which honored 16 teachers who have served for eight to 30 years in remote Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in line with the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program.
The recognition ceremony also formally launched the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2026 IP Education Month.
Meanwhile, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso formally presented a ceremonial check worth PHP1 million to DepEd.
Notable personalities at the event include Piolo Pascual, Aegis, Ariel Rivera, Pops Fernandez, Jona, Michael Pangilinan, Donny Pangilinan, Raymond Lauchengco, and Alex Calleja.
