Public school educators in Ilocos Norte on Monday welcomed the implementation of the career progression system, saying it provides more opportunities for career mobility, professional growth and financial stability.

Markelvin Guzman, monitoring supervisor for the Bangui-Dumalneg District of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the province, told the Philippine News Agency that the new law recognizes the long-standing efforts of teachers while inspiring them to further improve their craft.

A teacher who rose through the ranks, Guzman said it is high time for educators to feel valued and secure under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program.

“It opens more opportunities for teachers for their well-deserved and longtime promotion. As a teacher, it adds morale and inspiration to carry meaningful impact to our learners,” Guzman said.

For 16 years, Thelma Ruiz Sacsac of Pagudpud has built her career around the belief that teaching is both a vocation and a responsibility to the community. As a Master Teacher II at Luzong National High School, she has spent years nurturing learners, mentoring fellow teachers and modeling best classroom practices.

“With the career progression law, I think teachers now will perform well because they aim to be promoted on their own. No one will be stuck in their entry position and of course because of higher salary grade, they now enjoy better financial stability,” Sacsac said in an interview.

While welcoming the expanded career progression system as a “strong step” toward advancing teachers’ careers based on classroom performance, Jake Abragar, a Teacher III at Calayab Elementary School in this city, expressed concern over the absence of points for coaching, which he said is “less visible” in the promotion process.

Aside from classroom teaching, Abragar said he devotes time after school hours, including weekends, to coaching student-athletes, who have won in various sports competitions.

“I hope future improvements will also recognize coaching, as it develops learners’ skills, builds discipline, and brings pride to the school through competitions,” he said.

In Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma, senior education program specialist at the Schools Division Office, underscored that the implementation of the ECP at the division level must ensure fairness and merit-based promotion, rather than relying on the discretion of appointing authorities, to prevent corruption or the so-called “position for sale” practice.

“The Human Resource unit shall study thoroughly the guidelines and implement it properly to avoid bias to those deserving and performing personnel,” she said.

Republic Act 12288, which institutionalizes the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders, was signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sept. 12, 2025. It establishes a competency-based promotion system that allows elementary and secondary teachers to advance based on merit and qualifications. (PNA)