President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed education as a top administration priority as 1,991 public school teachers and school leaders in Central Luzon were promoted under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.

The mass oath-taking, led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, covered personnel from the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga elevated to higher teaching and school leadership ranks.

Marcos said the promotions reflect the government’s sustained investment in the education sector, both in funding and structural reforms.

“Kagaya ng aking nasabi dati, prayoridad natin ang edukasyon hanggang matapos ang administrasyong ito (Like what I said before, education is a priority of this administration),” he said.

The ceremony forms part of the nationwide implementation of Republic Act 12288, or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, signed by Marcos in 2025.

The law established a competency-based system allowing educators to advance either through classroom teaching or school leadership tracks, with equivalent salaries and benefits.

More than 16,000 teachers nationwide have already been promoted under the program, with about 40,000 more applications under review.

Marcos highlighted that the government allocated more than PHP1.34 trillion for education this year, equivalent to more than 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

The President also cited complementary initiatives, such as the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program, which provides healthcare services for teachers, and continued teaching and medical allowances.

The Central Luzon promotions follow earlier oath-takings in Ilocos and the National Capital Region as the administration accelerates the nationwide rollout of the career progression system. (PNA)