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February 20, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — No artificial intelligence or any other technology can replace the concern of teachers for their students, President Marcos said yesterday, as he vowed to continue supporting the career advancement of the country’s educators.
“Regardless of the number of laptops, artificial intelligence or any technology we will use, nothing can take the place of the love, concern and care teachers give to their students,” the President said during the mass oath taking of newly promoted teachers and school heads in Bulacan.
According to him, many challenges require discipline, honesty, empathy and values that he said are first learned at home and strengthened in classrooms through teachers’ example.
“Teach not only knowledge, but empathy. Not only skills, but character. Because long after the lessons are over, what your students will remember most is how you made them believe in themselves. And that, more than anything else, is how a nation is truly transformed,” Marcos said.
A total of 1,991 personnel from Bulacan and Pampanga were promoted and reclassified during the oath taking, which was in line with the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act of 2025.
They include educators promoted from Teacher II to Teacher VII and Master Teacher I to Master Teacher III, as well as school principals promoted from Principal I to Principal IV.
“No teacher will retire as Teacher I,” Marcos said as he thanked the educators for their efforts and vowed to undertake measures to elevate their ranks.
Marcos gave assurance that education remains a priority of the government, noting that more than P1.34 trillion has been allocated to the sector this year.
“When our teachers are supported, our students are better served and our nation moves forward with greater confidence,” he added.
In his speech, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said that some of the teachers who took their oath yesterday spent at least three decades in public schools and are nearing their retirement before being promoted.
Angara acknowledged 62-year-old Ligaya Barreras of Dau Elementary School in Mabalacat City, Pampanga who will retire in two years and had waited 29 years before being promoted.
“Teacher June Ma Cruz of Calulut Integrated School in San Fernando, 59 years old, 35 years (in service), Mr. President, before being promoted. Teacher Angelica Marcelo of Saluysoy Integrated School in Meycauayan, (Bulacan), 59 years old, 37 years, Mr. President, before being promoted. Teacher Gina Lapus of Dagat-Dagatan Elementary School in San Rafael (Bulacan), 63 years old, 38 years before being promoted. Teacher Lucia Domasig of Dakila Elementary School in Malolos, 63 years old, 38 years old, just promoted,” Angara added.
“It took a while but here in your wonderful program, Mr. President, they were given attention,” he said.
More than 16,000 teachers nationwide had already been promoted under the expanded career progression system, with 40,000 more applications under review.
At the same event, Angara said that health interventions among learners and teachers in public schools are crucial to boost learning outcomes in the country as he announced the Department of Education’s partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in the implementation of the YAKAP program.
The YAKAP program comprehensive initiative focused on the welfare of teachers, personnel and learners, which includes strengthened access to health care services. – Ramon Lazaro
