16,000 New Teachers to Reinforce Philippine Classrooms: PBBM and DBM Greenlight Massive Hiring Push

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a sweeping move poised to redefine the landscape of public education in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) is set to welcome 16,000 new teachers to the frontlines of learning. This bold initiative, approved by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), comes as part of a national drive to decongest jam-packed classrooms and relieve the overburdened teaching force.

The dramatic expansion is rooted in the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which authorized a total of 20,000 new teaching positions. In anticipation of the upcoming school year, DepEd urgently sought and received approval to fast-track the release of 80 percent of these posts—16,000 positions—to address persistent teacher shortages across all regions.

A Presidential Priority

President Marcos’ direct order to prioritize educators and learners was a clear catalyst for the rapid mobilization. Education Secretary Sonny Angara, newly appointed and already making impactful strides, praised the swift action and support from both the President and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

“We thank President Marcos for his firm instruction to prioritize our teachers and learners,” said Angara. “These new teaching items directly respond to his call to reduce class sizes and lighten the workload of our educators on the ground.”

The President’s directive is not just an administrative decision—it’s a statement of national intent. For far too long, public school classrooms have overflowed with students, while teachers have juggled both instructional and clerical duties, sometimes handling as many as 60 to 70 students per class. This strategic hiring spree aims to turn the tide.

A Race Against Time: Fast-Tracking Recruitment

With the clock ticking toward the start of the school year, DepEd has placed its Schools Division Offices (SDOs) on high alert. As soon as the Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) are transmitted by DBM regional offices, local divisions are ordered to immediately publish vacancies and begin hiring.

This is not the start of the effort. In fact, some divisions began recruitment activities as early as October 2024, reflecting the department's foresight in preparing for this hiring wave. The applicant evaluation process has been ongoing since January 2025, with the Registry of Qualified Applicants (RQA) already brimming with potential hires.

The targeted positions are not just generic teaching roles—they're strategically allocated to critical need areas: kindergarten, elementary education, and subject-specific roles in junior and senior high school, where shortages are often most acute.

Quality Learning Starts with the Right Teachers

Beyond merely filling classrooms, the initiative aims to reshape learning dynamics. By reducing the student-teacher ratio, the government hopes to restore focus, attention, and quality to classroom instruction. Smaller classes allow for more individualized teaching, better student engagement, and improved learning outcomes.

The ripple effect is powerful: more teachers mean more time for lesson planning, more personalized feedback, and less burnout. It’s a vision of a revitalized teaching workforce—energized, supported, and equipped to elevate the nation’s learners.

Administrative Support to Lighten the Load

Complementing the influx of educators, the DBM has also begun releasing 10,000 Administrative Officer II (AOII) items. These non-teaching positions are instrumental in freeing up teachers from paperwork and operational duties, ensuring they can focus solely on instruction.

For years, Filipino teachers have worn many hats—from educators and counselors to record keepers and event coordinators. This shift signals a new era where teaching is once again the primary and sacred duty of the educator.

A Call to Action: Swift and Fair Recruitment

Secretary Angara has issued a call to all regional and division offices to expedite the hiring process while maintaining fairness and transparency. The goal is clear: complete deployment before the end of the third quarter.

Applicants included in the new Registry of Qualified Applicants for SY 2025–2026 are encouraged to coordinate with their respective SDOs for guidance, updates, and timetables.

A Turning Point for Philippine Education

This is more than a hiring campaign—it’s a historic investment in the nation's future. It is an emphatic declaration that teachers matter, that students deserve better, and that the Philippine government is ready to put action behind its promises.

As schools across the country prepare to open their doors, 16,000 new educators will step into classrooms not just to teach, but to transform lives. With chalk in hand and purpose in heart, they represent a new hope for Philippine education—one where quality, dignity, and progress are finally within reach.

Toxic Gratitude: Zero Waste Group Urges Newly Elected Leaders to Rethink ‘Thank You’ Tarpaulins

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a mountain of discarded plastic lies an inconvenient truth: our democracy, while vibrant, leaves behind a trail of waste that chokes not only our landfills but also our hopes for a sustainable future.

At the heart of this environmental crisis is an all-too-familiar sight—colorful tarpaulins bearing smiling faces and promises of change, now rotting in heaps and dumps, their purpose served, their consequences lingering. Yet just as these relics of campaign season are being gathered and hauled away, a new wave is rising—this time, in the form of “thank you” tarpaulins.

But a loud and urgent plea rises above the din.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a staunch advocate for a zero waste and toxics-free society, is calling on all winners of the recent May 12 midterm elections: Don’t say “thank you” with plastic. Say it with impact. Say it with purpose. Say it without polluting the planet.

A Toxic Aftermath of Democracy

Following a recent Commission on Elections (COMELEC) inspection at Payatas, Quezon City, piles of election waste await their final fate. According to COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, 64.5 tons of election-related trash were collected from Metro Manila alone—most of it plastic tarpaulins that are neither biodegradable nor safely recyclable.

Worse, these tarpaulins are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—a plastic laced with toxic additives such as cadmium and phthalates, which pose health risks and resist decomposition for decades, if not centuries.

This grim scenario, says EcoWaste Zero Waste campaigner Cris Luague, could become even more disturbing as a new wave of “thank you” tarps begins appearing on utility poles, public walls, and even trees, just weeks before newly elected officials assume office on June 30.

Stop the Plastic Praise

“The post-election campaign clean-up has yet to be completed, and we’re already seeing more tarps thanking voters,” Luague lamented. “We must not celebrate victory by polluting the very communities we vow to serve.”

The EcoWaste Coalition's message is clear: ditch the plastic gratitude.

Rather than contributing further to the toxic load already plaguing urban centers, newly elected leaders are urged to explore sustainable, creative, and meaningful alternatives.

12 Ways to Say “Thank You” Without Trashing the Planet

To spark a shift in culture and consciousness, the group offers 12 alternatives to the wasteful “thank you” tarpaulin:

E-greetings via social media, websites, and video messages.

Tree-planting drives to offset campaign-related carbon footprints.

Community clean-ups, especially in clogged urban waterways.

Feeding sanitation workers, the unsung heroes of post-election cleanups.

Joining Brigada Eskwela to repair and clean schools (June 9–13).

Distributing school supplies to underprivileged students.

Donating waste bins to public spaces for proper segregation.

Sponsoring art murals using non-toxic, lead-safe paints.

Providing free health services in underserved areas.

Supporting community pantries and feeding efforts.

Improving local public services—from transport to healthcare.

Championing justice-based projects addressing poverty, health, climate, and gender issues.

Each of these actions not only expresses gratitude but also uplifts communities in tangible and lasting ways.

Gratitude with Responsibility

“Campaign waste must no longer be treated as a necessary evil of democracy,” the group emphasized. “It is a challenge that demands foresight, creativity, and above all, accountability.”

The group also underscored the urgency of adopting environmentally acceptable materials as defined in Republic Act No. 9003 and COMELEC Resolution No. 11111, which encourage the use of reusable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and recyclable materials.

In a world teetering on the edge of climate catastrophe, even a small shift—from PVC tarpaulins to tree seedlings or school kits—can resonate powerfully. It’s not merely about reducing waste. It’s about reframing the very essence of leadership: to serve, not just constituents, but the Earth they stand on.

A Call to Action

The Wazzup Pilipinas founder joins EcoWaste in urging all poll winners to rise above the plastic politics of the past and usher in a new era of eco-conscious governance.

The real “thank you” the people deserve isn’t printed in vinyl—it’s etched in action. It's time to turn gratitude into green deeds. Let our first promise to the electorate be one of stewardship, sustainability, and respect—not only for votes cast, but for the planet we share.

Animated Adventures in Learning: DOST-SEI Unveils RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya for Young Filipino Students

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

In a groundbreaking move to revolutionize STEM education for young learners, the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has breathed new life into the traditional classroom through a delightfully animated series—RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya. What once began as a humble series of radio lessons has now transformed into a vibrant and engaging animated program, bringing science and math concepts to life for elementary school students across the Philippines.

At a time when distance and hybrid learning have become the new normal, the challenge of keeping young minds engaged—especially in subjects like science and math—has only grown more daunting. But the DOST-SEI’s innovative leap from soundwaves to screens is rewriting the narrative, proving that education can be just as entertaining as it is enlightening.

From Airwaves to Animation: A Leap in Learning

RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya is not just another educational tool—it’s a storytelling experience. Through colorful animation and lovable characters like Kaikai and Bart, students are taken on imaginative adventures that cleverly weave core scientific and mathematical principles into their storylines. These characters do more than teach—they inspire, inviting kids to laugh, wonder, and discover alongside them.

The program currently boasts 15 episodes, each carefully crafted to target foundational concepts in mathematics and science. Topics range from financial literacy, ratio and proportion, to area and volume, while the science modules span life sciences, physical sciences, and earth sciences—delving into subjects like plant propagation, chemistry, volcanoes, and solar eclipses.

What sets RadyoEskwela apart is its deep cultural relevance. Episodes such as “Bakit Blue ang Langit?”, “Gagambahay,” and “Kiwot Bees” creatively incorporate Filipino themes and local folklore, offering children a chance to see science through a familiar and uniquely Filipino lens.

A Mission of Inclusion and Excitement

"RadyoEskwela embodies our mission to make science and math education inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all Filipino learners," stated DOST-SEI Director Dr. Jayeel S. Cornelio. "With this animated series, we are not only expanding its reach but also making learning more interactive and exciting for young Filipinos. We hope this initiative sparks interest among students to further explore STEM."

This evolution into an animated format is part of DOST-SEI’s broader mission to democratize education—reaching students not just in cities, but across rural and underserved communities where traditional learning resources might be lacking.

All episodes are made freely accessible via nulab’s Facebook page, ensuring no child is left behind due to cost or distance. Whether viewed in the classroom, at home, or on the go, RadyoEskwela is now just a click away.

Building a STEM Future with TuklaSiyensya

The DOST-SEI’s efforts don’t stop at the elementary level. High school learners can dive deeper into the wonders of STEM through TuklaSiyensya, a similarly animated program that introduces more complex scientific concepts in an interactive, student-friendly way. The first season features 15 action-packed episodes, complete with animation explainers, expert-facilitated demonstrations, and guided post-viewing activities.

Like RadyoEskwela, TuklaSiyensya is also available for free online, creating a comprehensive suite of learner support programs for a wide range of grade levels.

A Call to Educators, Parents, and Communities

As the nation continues to adapt to the evolving educational landscape, the DOST-SEI is calling on teachers, school administrators, and parents to integrate these free resources into their teaching and learning plans. These programs aren’t just tools—they’re gateways to a new generation of Filipino scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and innovators.

By bringing math and science into the digital age with a uniquely Filipino flavor, RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya is more than just an educational series. It’s a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the boundless potential of the young Filipino mind.

To explore RadyoEskwela, TuklaSiyensya, and other initiatives from the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute, visit sei.dost.gov.ph or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/DOST.SEI.

In every story, experiment, and equation—there’s a future Filipino scientist waiting to be inspired.