DepEd reiterates support for Filipino teachers in the Middle East through SPIMS reintegration program

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 2 March 2026 - In light of the evolving security situation in parts of the Middle East, the Department of Education (DepEd) affirms its readiness to support Filipino teachers who may be affected and are considering returning to the Philippines.


Through the Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program, DepEd, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), provides a reintegration pathway for licensed Filipino teachers employed overseas to transition into the public school system.

 


Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the Department’s commitment to supporting returning educators: “Sa mga gurong Pilipino sa Gitnang Silangan at sa iba pang panig ng mundo, bukas ang pintuan ng ating mga pampublikong paaralan para sa inyo. Kung magpapasya kayong umuwi, kasama ninyo ang DepEd sa panibagong yugto ng inyong paglilingkod.”


Qualified applicants may be hired and appointed as Teacher I under permanent status, subject to compliance with established qualification standards and existing hiring guidelines.


The SPIMS Program is an employment reintegration convergence initiative led by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (DMW-NRCO) and implemented in coordination and partner agencies, including DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other relevant government offices.


The program ensures institutional coordination for a structured and orderly transition of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) into the public education system.


Specifically, SPIMS aims to provide returning OFW Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers with gainful employment in public schools, help address teacher shortages in support of the K to 12 curriculum, and offer online refresher courses for those who may need to update their pedagogical competencies in line with current educational standards.


Eligible applicants must be Filipino citizens or Philippine passport holders who are LET passers with at least one year of accumulated teaching experience within the last five years and who have not resided in the Philippines for more than three consecutive years based on their latest arrival record.


For guidance on the application process and documentary requirements, applicants may coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) through their official channels. Required documents include a valid PRC ID, Certificate of Board Rating, and proof of employment abroad.


DepEd recognizes the valuable contributions of Filipino teachers abroad and remains steadfast in strengthening the country’s teacher workforce while upholding support mechanisms for educators, both at home and overseas.

DepEd advances teacher career progression with approval of 5,335 promotion backlogs

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MAKATI CITY, 3 March 2026 - The Department of Education (DepEd) has received the approval of 5,335 teacher reclassification applications processed under previous guidelines during the transition phase of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) implementation – marking another major milestone in strengthening career advancement opportunities for public school teachers nationwide.

The clearing of the reclassification applications processed under earlier mechanisms – such as the Equivalents Record Form (ERF), MEC Order No. 10, s. 1979, and DepEd Order No. 97, s. 2011 – forms part of the Department’s transition toward the full implementation of the ECP System.

The milestone was achieved through strong inter-agency collaboration between DepEd, led by Secretary Sonny Angara, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under Acting Secretary Rolando U. Toledo, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize teachers’ welfare and professional development.

“This is more than achieving numbers. This is about our sustained efforts to ensure our educators receive the recognition they truly deserve. Following President Bongbong Marcos’ directive, we are accelerating the ECP system to make sure no public school teacher ever retires at the entry-level rank of Teacher I,” Angara said.

In parallel, the Department is advancing with school leadership reforms. DepEd is currently awaiting DBM’s final review and approval of 914 on-stream candidates — including Head Teachers (HTs), Assistant School Principals (ASPs), and Teachers-in-Charge (TICs) — for reclassification to School Principal positions.

With a record PhP6.1 billion allocation for FY 2026, DepEd continues to intensify the rollout of the ECP System, targeting the promotion of over 100,000 public school teachers this year.

These efforts aim to strengthen morale across the teaching force, expand leadership pathways, and ultimately improve learning outcomes for Filipino learners.

𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓, 𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐖𝐅 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨

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Bumisita at nakipagpulong ang Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa Eulogio 'Amang’ Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) noong 18 Pebrero 2026 upang ihain ang mithiin at panukalang magtatag ng Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK) sa pamantasan at upang higit pang pagtibayin ang ugnayan ng KWF at EARIST sa pagtataguyod ng wikang pambansa at kulturang Pilipino.



Pinangunahan ni KWF Tagapangulo Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran, kasama si Komisyoner Benjamin M. Mendillo Jr, ang opisyal na pagbisita at pakikipagpulong kay EARIST Pangulo Rogelio T. Mamaraldo.




Personal ding nilibot nina Barrios-Taran at Mendillo ang mga silid-aralan upang makahalubilo ang mga mag-aaral na nagpapakadalubhasa sa Filipino. Ipinakilala ng dalawa ang mga programa ng komisyon na naglalayong mas mapalapit ang wikang pambansa sa mga kabataan.



Layunin ng pagtatayo ng SWK na maging magkatuwang ang KWF at EARIST sa pagpapatupad ng mga programang pangwika, pananaliksik, at proyekto na magpapayaman sa kultura at identidad ng bansa.