Education Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) approval of 3,627 teaching and teaching-related positions for the newly established Schools Division Office (SDO) of Sulu, a key step in ensuring a smooth transition of the province’s public education system to the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Alam natin na may kaunting pangamba kapag may ganitong kalaking pagbabago sa trabaho. Kaya ang mensahe natin sa ating mga guro at kawani sa Sulu: pamilya natin kayo sa DepEd, protektado kayo, at hindi natin pababayaan ang inyong kabuhayan,” Angara said.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting educators and school personnel as Sulu’s education system transitions from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to DepEd Region IX, or the Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Obligasyon nating kilalanin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga guro at tuparin ang sinabi ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na walang maiiwan habang inililipat natin sa DepEd ang sistema ng edukasyon sa Sulu,” he added.
The approval follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent visit with Angara to Kawmpang Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu. During the visit, the President assured teachers and education personnel that the administrative transition would be managed smoothly, with measures in place to safeguard their employment.
The transfer is being implemented under Executive Order No. 91, s. 2025, which provides for the transition of Sulu from BARMM to DepEd Region IX. Marcos also affirmed that existing personnel would be absorbed and supported through newly created plantilla positions.
Of the 3,627 positions approved by the DBM, 3,618 are teaching positions ranging from Teacher I to Master Teacher II for kindergarten, elementary, and junior high school levels. The remaining nine are teaching-related positions, including Head Teacher I and School Principal I and II.
The approval supplements the DBM’s earlier authorization of 84 administrative and division positions for the SDO Sulu headquarters. Of these, 40 are currently occupied by personnel from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM) assigned to Sulu. These employees are being prioritized for absorption in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules.
Angara recognized the dedication of Sulu’s educators, who have continued serving learners despite the challenges brought by the administrative transition.
“Bilib tayo sa dedikasyon ng ating mga guro sa Sulu dahil sa kabila ng mga hamon, tuloy-tuloy silang nagturo. Kaya ginagawa nating mabilis at maayos itong transisyon para sa kanila, para ang tanging isipin na lamang nila ay ang paggabay at pagtuturo sa ating mga kabataan,” he said.
DepEd is coordinating with the DBM, its Regional Office IX, and local government partners to expedite deployment and appointment procedures. The agency said these efforts aim to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of salaries, benefits, and operational support as the province’s education system transitions to the national department.
