Angara Highlights Fulfillment of Marcos Jr.’s Directives to Uplift Teachers’ Welfare at 2025 National Teachers’ Month Kick-Off

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Koronadal City, September 7, 2025 — The sound of applause echoed through the halls as the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara stood before thousands of educators during the 2025 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) Kick-Off Program, carrying with him the weight of a mission entrusted directly by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.: to take care of the nation’s teachers — the heart of the Philippine education system.

“Alam niyo po, I’ve been in the Department for a little over one year, at ‘di ko nakakalimutan ang pangunahing instruction ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Sabi niya, ‘Sonny, you must take care of our teachers. They are the heart of our educational system,’” Angara recalled, his words resonating with the pride and hope of an educator’s calling.

From that day forward, Angara said, the President’s directive became the compass of DepEd’s agenda, propelling a series of reforms designed not only to ease the burdens of teachers but also to restore dignity and recognition to their noble profession.

Cutting Red Tape, Prioritizing the Classroom

One of the most applauded initiatives is the 57% reduction in required school forms, a move that directly addresses teachers’ long-standing frustrations over excessive paperwork. By freeing them from hours of administrative duties, DepEd aims to return teachers to where they truly belong: inside the classroom, shaping the nation’s future.

“Ang dapat trabaho ng guro ay magturo, hindi magtambak ng forms,” Angara emphasized, drawing loud cheers from educators who have long juggled teaching with clerical work.

Overtime Pay: A Promise Turned Into Policy

Answering the President’s call for fairness, Angara announced the release of the Guidelines on the Payment of Overtime Services for Teachers. For the first time, educators now have clear and official mechanisms to claim compensation for hours spent beyond regular class schedules — a recognition of their invisible labor that often extends late into the night.

Strengthening Financial and Health Support

The 2026 National Expenditure Program earmarks a ₱114.39-billion budget for Personnel Services, guaranteeing that salaries, benefits, and allowances are fully funded. More importantly, the allocation also supports the hiring of additional teachers, a critical step in addressing ballooning class sizes across the country.

To address health concerns, DepEd has fast-tracked the ₱7,000 annual medical allowance for teachers. Starting last month, teachers can now choose between a government-issued HMO package or direct cash assistance — a flexibility designed to meet diverse personal and family needs. Teachers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas will be given priority, ensuring that those in the most challenging environments are not left behind.

A President’s Heartfelt Mission, A Secretary’s Commitment

Angara was quick to emphasize that these reforms spring from President Marcos Jr.’s personal vision for education.

“‘Yan talaga ay galing sa puso ni PBBM. Gusto niyang tulungan ang ating mga guro dahil naniniwala siya na kayo ang modern-day heroes. You are our exemplars. You are our immortal,” Angara declared, his voice rising with conviction.

The moment was more than a ceremonial kickoff; it was a renewed pledge — that under this administration, teachers would no longer be forgotten or overlooked, but celebrated and supported as the lifeblood of the nation’s progress.

Towards a Brighter Future for Philippine Education

As the festivities of National Teachers’ Month unfold, the message from Koronadal City reverberates across the archipelago: teachers are not merely employees of the state, they are the nation’s guiding lights.

Through reduced bureaucratic burdens, fairer compensation, expanded health benefits, and stronger budgetary support, the Department of Education under Secretary Angara, guided by President Marcos Jr., seeks to transform rhetoric into reality — a future where teachers stand not in exhaustion, but in empowerment.

For the countless educators who have sacrificed time, health, and even family moments in the name of learning, these reforms are not just policies; they are long-awaited promises finally kept.

Because in the Philippines, as in every great nation, the path to progress begins in the classroom — and in the hands of teachers who, as Angara reminded, are our true and enduring heroes.

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