Vice President (VP) and Former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte delivered a special message on Friday in celebration of National Teachers' Month, honoring the dedication and hard work of educators across the country.
In her Facebook page, VP Duterte emphasized the pivotal role that teachers play in shaping both the future and the values of a nation, acknowledging that educators are instrumental in not only preparing students for the future but also in reinforcing the core values that bind a society together, such as freedom and the protection of rights.
Duterte also recognized the numerous challenges teachers face, such as overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and heavy workloads, that have strained the education system. Despite these obstacles, she praised teachers for their unwavering dedication and service to the nation.
“Binibigyang-pugay namin ang lahat ng mga gurong Filipino ngayong National Teachers' Month — sa buong bansa at saan man sa mundo na bahagi ng puwersa na humuhubog sa mga pangarap ng ating mga anak at sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” she said, expressing deep appreciation for all Filipino teachers during National Teachers' Month. She also honored educators both in the Philippines and abroad, recognizing their crucial part in shaping the dreams of children and contributing to the future of the nation.
VP Duterte acknowledged their significant influence as part of the workforce that helps mold the aspirations of the youth and the country's future.
“Sana ay mas ihanda natin ang mga kabataan sa landas ng tama at katotohanan,” she urged, stating that the youth must be prepared for the path of truth and righteousness.
She further emphasized that in the face of challenges, it is important for teachers and society to nurture hope, faith, and love within students.
Duterte also highlighted the collective responsibility to support the aspirations of those who dream of becoming doctors, teachers, lawyers, police officers, and other professionals, calling for unity in ensuring that Filipino youth grow up not only with knowledge and skills but also with compassion, wisdom, and love for their country.
She further expressed her gratitude for the teachers' unwavering service and dedication in providing education to the Filipino youth.
“Happy National Teachers' Month. Mabuhay ang ating mga guro! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas — para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino,” she greeted.
Moreover, the bill seeking to increase the minimum salary of public school teachers to ₱50,000 has been refiled and remains active in the legislative process. However, it has not yet progressed to the point of enactment.
It may also be recalled that the Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed that just 192 out of the planned 6,379 classrooms were completed in 2023, which the COA notes that the government allocated P15 billion for classroom construction in the DepEd for that year. In the previous year, only 847 classrooms were built.
Additionally, the highest budget allocation in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) goes to basic and higher education, with the Department of Education (DepEd) as the top recipient agency.
