MANILA, Philippines — Public school teachers could receive higher salaries, continued allowances, expanded career opportunities and additional workplace support in 2027 as the government proposes nearly ₱1 trillion for the Department of Education (DepEd).
Under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program, DepEd is set to receive ₱975.96 billion, representing a 5.11% increase from its 2026 level.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said ₱61.02 billion of the net increase is intended for higher Personnel Services funding, putting teachers and other DepEd personnel at the center of the proposed education budget.
But the biggest attention is on what the proposal could mean for teachers’ pay and career advancement.
Teacher I salary could rise to ₱33,387 in 2027
One of the most immediate changes would come from the fourth tranche of the government salary adjustment under Executive Order No. 64.
The adjustment is expected to translate to an average increase of around 5% in monthly compensation for government employees, including public school teachers.
For example, a Teacher I under Salary Grade 11 would see monthly basic pay increase from ₱31,705 in 2026 to ₱33,387 in 2027.
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon said teachers in Salary Grades 11, 12 and 13 are expected to particularly feel the adjustment because Teacher I, II and III positions make up a large portion of the public-school teaching workforce.
₱38.78 billion proposed for teacher benefits
The proposed budget also includes ₱38.78 billion for benefits covered by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and other personnel benefits.
The proposed allocation includes:
- ₱25.04 billion for Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA)
- ₱5.80 billion for Special Hardship Allowance
- ₱648.10 million for teaching overload honoraria
- ₱7.30 billion for medical allowance of up to ₱7,000 for qualified civilian personnel
These provisions are separate from the proposed teaching allowance.
Teachers to continue receiving ₱10,000 annual teaching allowance
The government is also proposing ₱10.36 billion to continue the ₱10,000 annual Teaching Allowance for approximately 1.036 million teaching and teaching-related positions nationwide.
This means the proposed 2027 budget would maintain the annual allowance while also increasing funding for salaries and other benefits.
Nearly ₱12.1 billion could accelerate teacher promotions
Perhaps the most significant development for teachers seeking career advancement is the proposed expansion of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.
The government is proposing ₱12.09 billion for ECP in 2027, compared with ₱6.15 billion in 2026.
That represents an increase of about 96.6%, or nearly double the previous year’s allocation.
The funding is expected to support approximately 135,063 position reclassifications, potentially allowing more teachers to move up the career ladder without having to leave classroom teaching simply to obtain higher positions and compensation.
The development comes just days after DBM announced an additional ₱8.68 billion for salary upgrades covering 93,344 public school personnel whose positions had already been reclassified under the ECP System.
That funding covers salary differentials for qualified personnel for the 2025 and 2026 implementation requirements.
Government wants teachers to spend less time on paperwork
The proposed plan goes beyond salary increases.
The government is also proposing ₱3.02 billion for DepEd personnel training, including ₱1.86 billion for in-service training and other learning and development programs.
Another ₱840.59 million is proposed for the creation of 2,135 additional positions, including School Principal I, Project Development Officer I and Administrative Officer II positions.
DBM said strengthening the non-teaching workforce is intended to help reduce the administrative burden placed on teachers so they can devote more time to instruction.
This includes providing personnel who can assist with functions involving administration, human resources, procurement and supplies, as well as addressing the need for school guidance counselors and counselor associates.
What the 2027 proposal could mean for teachers
Taken together, the proposed measures point to a broader effort to improve the compensation and career structure for public school educators.
Teachers could potentially see:
Higher basic pay through the fourth salary-adjustment tranche;
₱10,000 annual teaching allowance continuing nationwide;
Billions of pesos in additional benefits;
More opportunities for promotion and position reclassification through ECP;
Additional training and professional development; and
More non-teaching personnel to help reduce administrative duties.
The government’s goal is not simply to increase compensation but also to create a career path where teachers can advance professionally while remaining in the classroom.
But there is an important catch
The figures are part of the proposed FY 2027 National Budget and should therefore not yet be treated as guaranteed final appropriations.
The proposed National Expenditure Program still goes through the country’s budget process before the final 2027 General Appropriations Act is enacted.
For teachers, however, the proposed figures signal that compensation, career progression and workload support are becoming major components of the government’s education spending priorities.
And with ₱12.09 billion earmarked for expanded career progression and an estimated 135,000 teachers targeted for advancement, 2027 could become a significant year for public-school educators if the proposed funding survives the budget process.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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