LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – For years, many teachers have been patiently teaching their students with not so much hope to be promoted as there are limited positions – they have to wait for vacant positions or the retirement of other personnel.
Amidst the low salaries and heavy workloads, teachers persevere shaping the minds of young students to making lasting impact in the society.
Asone of the noblest professions, teaching requires not only passion but most importantly, patience. Patience in the varying characters of learners, patience in personal life, and patience in career development.
And this value is best exemplified by Marcelina Gosgos, a dedicated educator from Benguet who was recently promoted after waiting for two decades. From Teacher III, she is now Teacher VI. Thanks to the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program of the Department of Education.
Gosgos’ passion and patience in teaching is deeply rooted on her inspiration. At an early age, she was adopted by a teacher who influenced her to live the life of an educator.
Despite no promotion in 20 years in here 31 years of service, Gosgos feels fulfillment in teaching.
“I am happy ta adu ti children nga napagraduate ko, then dagitoy met children nga tinultulungak, haan laeng met nga kuwan, pati discipline, tinultulungak isuda. Nu para kanyak, agyamanak ta atleast adda ta naimpart ko nga little knowledge to them, nagbalin da met nga professional, different kinds of profession,” she said.
[I am happy because a many of the children I taught have graduated. I taught them not only academics but also discipline. I am very grateful because I was able to impart little knowledge to them and they have become professionals.]
Her long-awaited promotion will inspire her more to teach. She is grateful for the implementation of the be Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders of the Department of Education through Republic Act 12288. This system allows teachers to be reclassified and move up in rank based on their qualifications, experience, and professional standards, without waiting for vacant positions or the retirement of other personnel.
“Imbag ta adda daytoy ECP ta naipromote ak met ta nabayagak nga Teacher 3 step 8. Imbag ta adda daytoy, naragsaragsak ak. Nanayun dijay income, dijay di first, ken makatulong iti panagbiyag para kanyak nga kastoy. Matagal na teacher nga idi ket bassit ti sweldo isunga idi inmay daytoy (ECP), agyama-yaman ay ,” Gosgos said.
[It is great that there is this ECP and I am promoted. I have been a Teacher 3 step 8 for a very long time. With this, my salary will increase that will help me and my family. I have been a teacher for so long, and the salary before was little. With this (ECP), I am very grateful.]
Gosgos, who has been a teacher for more than 31 years, expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for finally signing RA 12288 which pushed for the reclassification and promotion of thousands of teachers and school leaders in the country.
“Thank you very much, Mr. President and also the Secretary Sonny Angara, for the reclass that you have given to us,” she said.
Gosgos encouraged her fellow teachers especially the new ones to stand committed in their roles as a teacher.
“Anusan daytoy nga trabaho ta isu iti commitment. Ti importante ket tulungan tayo dagitoy aannak tapno agbalin da nga nasayaat nga tao in the future,” she said.
[Be strong in this profession because it is our commitment. What is important is we help our children so that they become good citizens.]
Gosgos is among the 1,935 reclassified and promoted teaching and non-teaching personnel in Benguet who took their oath at the Benguet Sports Complex in La Trinidad on January 5, 2026.**JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR
