Negosentro | DepEd Rolls Out Overtime Pay Policy for Teachers, Answering PBBM’s Call for Fairer Compensation
MAKATI CITY – Public school teachers in the Philippines are set to receive additional financial recognition for their hard work, thanks to a new overtime policy issued by the Department of Education (DepEd).
In direct response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call to strengthen teacher compensation and benefits, DepEd has released DepEd Order No. 26, s. 2025, outlining the Guidelines on the Payment of Overtime Services of Teachers.
The new policy ensures that teachers who go beyond their standard six-hour teaching load will now be entitled to overtime pay, a landmark move seen as a step toward fairer treatment of educators.
Supporting Teachers Through Better Pay
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the order reflects DepEd’s long-term commitment to improve working conditions for educators while aligning with the President’s priority agenda for education.
“Mahalaga para sa Kagawaran na mabigyan ng sapat na kompensasyon ang ating mga guro—lalo na kapag sila ay naglalaan ng dagdag na oras sa ating mga paaralan. Tugon natin ito sa panawagan ni PBBM na tiyaking may dagdag na benepisyo at kompensasyon ang ating mga guro,” Angara said.
This announcement has been welcomed by many in the education sector, who have long advocated for fair teacher pay in the Philippines and greater recognition of the sacrifices educators make daily.
How the Overtime Policy Works
The new DepEd overtime guidelines clearly define how extra hours will be recognized:
Weekdays: Teachers working at least two (2) additional hours will receive monetary compensation. Overtime of less than two hours will be converted into Vacation Service Credits (VSC).
Weekends, holidays, and special non-working days: Teachers may receive monetary compensation for up to four (4) hours of overtime. Excess hours beyond that will be credited as VSC.
Compensation rates are set at 125% of the hourly rate on regular workdays, and 150% on weekends, holidays, and special days.
The policy applies to all full-time DepEd teachers, including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), whether under permanent, substitute, or provisional appointments.
To ensure accountability, overtime work must be pre-approved by the school head or an authorized official and should only be rendered when strictly necessary.
Building on Earlier Teacher Compensation Reforms
The overtime pay order builds on earlier reforms under DepEd Memorandum No. 53, s. 2024, streamlined guidelines for teacher workload distribution and payment for teaching overload.
Together, these policies represent a growing shift toward responsible teacher workload management and the recognition of teachers as essential pillars of national development.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mahal na Pangulo dahil laging nasa pinakamataas ng kanyang prayoridad ang edukasyon — lalo na ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro. Patuloy nating isusulong ang mga makabuluhang inisyatiba upang higit pang iangat ang dignidad at kapakanan ng ating mga guro,” Angara added.
Why This Matters
In the Philippines, teachers have long been known to spend extra hours preparing lessons, mentoring students, and fulfilling administrative tasks. Many of these hours historically went unrecognized, leading to calls for fair compensation from teachers’ groups and advocates.
By formally recognizing overtime, DepEd is taking a pro-teacher stance that acknowledges the profession’s workload realities while ensuring greater fairness and transparency.
This policy is also expected to strengthen teacher morale and help retain quality educators in the public school system, which is vital to achieving long-term education reforms under the Marcos administration.
Quick Guide: Teacher Overtime Policy 2025
Weekdays – 2 hours or more = Overtime pay; <2 hours = Vacation Service CreditsWeekends & Holidays – Up to 4 hours paid, excess = Vacation Service CreditsPay Rates – 125% on weekdays, 150% on weekends/holidaysWho Qualifies – All full-time DepEd teachers, including ALS teachersPre-Approval – Required from school heads or authorized officials
Conclusion
The launch of DepEd’s Overtime Pay Guidelines for Teachers marks a historic milestone in Philippine education, one that directly responds to President Marcos Jr.’s push for better teacher benefits. By combining transparency, fair compensation, and workload recognition, the policy sends a clear message: Filipino teachers are valued, and their sacrifices matter.
As the education sector continues to evolve, this reform underscores a crucial truth: when teachers are supported, students and communities thrive.
(Visited 4,428 times, 1 visits today)
