By Mariela Angella Oladive
More than 8,800 public school teachers in Western Visayas are set to move up the ranks under the Department of Education’s Expanded Career Progression program after their requests for position reclassification were submitted to the Department of Budget and Management.
Data presented by DepEd Region 6 Administrative and Services Division Chief Atty. Jessica Sapalo during a March 11 press conference showed that 8,829 reclassification requests from teachers across Panay and Guimaras had been endorsed to DBM as part of the program’s implementation.
As of March 10, 4,423 positions had been approved with a Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action, or NOSCA, equivalent to an approval rate of 50.10%.
Sapalo said the processing of the remaining requests and the issuance of appointments for approved positions are ongoing across the region.
Among the provinces, Aklan recorded 2,534 applications.
Capiz submitted 2,292 requests.
Iloilo province logged 2,031 requests.
Guimaras recorded 450 applications.
Iloilo City submitted 633 requests.
Passi City filed 290 requests.
Roxas City recorded 441 requests.
The Expanded Career Progression system broadens promotion opportunities for teachers through reclassification and other advancement mechanisms based on competency, qualifications and performance standards.
The program is anchored on Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 and implemented through DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, which sets the guidelines for the career advancement of teachers and school heads.
Under the system, the teaching career path runs from Teacher I to Teacher VII, covering Salary Grades 11–17.
The higher teaching track covers Master Teacher I to Master Teacher V, with Salary Grades 18–22.
A parallel administrative track is also available for school heads, from School Principal I to IV, with Salary Grades 19–22.
DepEd Region 6 Regional Director Dr. Cristito A. Eco said the initiative aims to motivate teachers to further improve their qualifications and performance.
“The reason why DepEd pushed for this is to motivate our teachers to really do well. They are promoted based on qualifications. It will drive them to improve and accumulate experiences in education,” Eco said.
“With the Expanded Career Progression, we are confident that our teachers will continue to upgrade their skills and give their best in their performance in the classroom,” he added.
