‘DepEd ti kadakkelan ti pondo na tatta... this will help teachers and upgrade our education quality’ – Gov. Edduba during the Oath Taking Ceremony of promoted teaching personnel

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Governor James S. Edduba highlighted the Marcos administration’s renewed priority on education and support for teachers, noting that the Department of Education (DepEd) has once again become the government agency with the largest budget, overtaking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as mandated by the Constitution.

The governor made the statement during the Oath-Taking Ceremony of Promoted Teaching Personnel, held at the Tabuk City Gymnasium in Dagupan on January 7, 2026.

Recognizing the vital role of teachers in nation-building, Edduba emphasized that allocating the largest share of the national budget to DepEd reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening the education sector.

“Ammo yo ba nga nagsubli nga DepEd ti kadakkelan ti pondo na tatta, haanen nga DPWH. At least naisubli talaga diay number one nga mandate ti government. Because under the Constitution, number one talaga with the biggest budget must be DepEd—adda idiay Constitution dayta. This will help teachers and upgrade our education quality,” he said.

Edduba added that the shift underscores a renewed focus on education following recent issues surrounding flood control projects, saying, “… adda met gayam ti napintas nga kaaramidan na dagitoy nga iskandalo ti flood control.”

He also addressed the salary gap between teachers and other professions, citing the relatively lower salary grade of Teacher I positions and noting that addressing the disparity requires sufficient budget allocation.

“Kasla ngay nu kitkitam talaga ket nabati kayon (teachers)—mabatbati kayon kadagidiay parehas nga four years nga nag-graduate, like for example ti nurse. Makitam talaga ti difference, ngem kasapulan talaga ditoy ket diay budget,” Edduba added.

The governor then encouraged teachers to continue upholding excellence, integrity, and leadership in guiding the next generation, particularly amid challenges brought about by rapid technological changes and the influence of social media.

Meanwhile, the ceremony gathered a total of 761 newly promoted teaching personnel from various schools across the province, along with officials from the Department of Education, including Regional Director Estela P. Leon-Cariño, Schools Division Superintendent Gloria B. Buya-ao, and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Ginadine L. Balagso, among others.