Newly promoted teachers and school heads under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program from the Bulacan and Pampanga Clusters took their oaths during a ceremony at the City of San Jose Del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan on 19 February 2026. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was present at the event.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the ceremony forms part of the nationwide implementation of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12288, or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act of 2025.

A total of 1,991 personnel from the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga were promoted or reclassified. The group includes teachers elevated from Teacher II to Teacher VII and Master Teacher I to Master Teacher III, as well as principals promoted from Principal I to Principal IV.

The program aims to address long-standing promotion bottlenecks and formally recognize teachers’ professional growth, competence, and years of service.

In Central Luzon, the Bulacan and Pampanga Clusters represented one of the largest groups of newly promoted personnel in recent months. Bulacan recorded 408 promotees, followed by Pampanga with 368.

In Pampanga, Mabalacat City had 301, Angeles City 238, and the City of San Fernando 233. In Bulacan, Meycauayan City had 128, San Jose Del Monte City 145, Malolos City 90, and Baliwag City 80.

During the event, Marcos acknowledged the career progression of the teachers and school heads. He encouraged the continued development of teachers’ skills and experience, noting that the system aims to address promotion delays and provide clearer career pathways.

He said, “Sa loob ng matagal na panahon, mayroon sa inyo ang nawalan na ng pag-asa na mapro-promote pa. Dahil sa dami ng responsibilidad sa paaralan, sa komunidad, sa pamilya, nawalan na kayo ng oras na makuha ang mga requirement para sa promotion o ‘di kaya ay wala ng aakyatan pa sa inyong organisasyon. Inakala ninyo marahil na magre-retire kayong hindi nakakatikim na ma-promote.”

“Hindi ako papayag na hindi masuklian ang inyong sakripisyo.”

“Kaya, gumagawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang marami pang guro ang tumaas ang posisyon, at kagaya ng aking ipinangako, walang sinuman na teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher I,” he added.