President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that no technology, including AI, can substitute the personal care teachers provide to students. Speaking at an oath-taking ceremony in Bulacan, he pledged continued support for educators' career advancement.
At a mass oath-taking ceremony for newly promoted teachers and school heads in Bulacan, President Marcos stated that "no artificial intelligence or any other technology can replace the love, concern and care teachers give to their students, regardless of the number of laptops we use." He noted that many challenges demand discipline, honesty, empathy and values first learned at home and reinforced in classrooms by teachers' examples.
"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," he added.
The event, aligned with the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act of 2025, saw 1,991 personnel from Bulacan and Pampanga promoted and reclassified. This included educators advancing from Teacher II to Teacher VII, Master Teacher I to III, and principals from Principal I to IV.
"No teacher will retire as Teacher I," Marcos said, thanking educators and promising measures to elevate their ranks. He assured that education remains a government priority, with over P1.34 trillion allocated this year.
"When our teachers are supported, our students are better served and our nation moves forward with greater confidence," he said.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted that some oath-takers had served at least three decades in public schools and were nearing retirement before promotion. He cited examples like 62-year-old Ligaya Barreras of Dau Elementary School in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, retiring in two years after waiting 29 years; 59-year-old Teacher June Ma Cruz of Calulut Integrated School in San Fernando with 35 years of service; 59-year-old Angelica Marcelo of Saluysoy Integrated School in Meycauayan, Bulacan, with 37 years; 63-year-old Gina Lapus of Dagat-Dagatan Elementary School in San Rafael, Bulacan, with 38 years; and 63-year-old Lucia Domasig of Dakila Elementary School in Malolos with 38 years of service.
"It took a while but here in your wonderful program, Mr. President, they were given attention," Angara said.
More than 16,000 teachers nationwide have been promoted under the expanded career progression system, with 40,000 applications under review. At the event, Angara announced the Department of Education's partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for the YAKAP program, focused on the welfare of teachers, personnel and learners through improved health care access.