Republic of the Philippines

Schools Division Office - Pasay City

Amid smiles of gratitude, proud families, and hopeful hearts, the Schools Division Office (SDO) gathered educators for a meaningful Oath-taking and Appointment Ceremony honoring newly promoted and newly hired teaching personnel. More than a formal conferment of appointments, the occasion celebrated perseverance, professional growth, and the unwavering commitment of educators who have chosen to dedicate their lives to shaping the future of the learners.

The ceremony recognized the newly promoted teachers under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) for teachers comprising 7 teacher III, 8 teacher IV, 6 teacher V, and 6 teacher VI positions. Likewise, appointments were conferred to personnel promoted through natural vacancies including Education Program Supervisor in Mathematics and two teacher III positions. Completing the growing workforce of the division were 27 newly hired teachers, all ready to embark on a meaningful journey in public service.

Dr. Joel T. Torrecampo, Schools Division Superintendent, reminded the appointees that every promotion and appointment carries with it a greater responsibility to serve with excellence, integrity, and compassion.

          “Today is not just a ceremony, it is a celebration of commitment, perseverance, and purpose. Promotion is not the finish line of success, it is the starting line of greater responsibility. Your title may open doors, but it is your character, competence, compassion, that will leave a lasting legacy.”

He emphasized that career progression and promotion are not measured solely by a higher position but by the positive influence teachers create in the lives of learners and colleagues and the passion to serve. The mission remains the same, which is to inspire and to become instruments of hope and transformation.

          “Remember that your position is your platform to serve -not the privilege to be served. Wherever you are assigned, lead with humility, work with excellence, and serve with compassion. Never stop learning. Never stop serving. Never stop believing that one teacher, one leader, and one act of kindness can change the future of a child.”

As each educator took the oath, the atmosphere was filled with pride and purpose. The ceremony symbolized more than a change in rank or designation, it reflected years of dedication, countless sacrifices, and an enduring passion for teaching. The newly promoted teachers viewed their advancement not merely as a personal milestone but as a renewed commitment to excellence and service to every learner entrusted to their care.

Equally inspiring were the heartfelt reflections shared by the newly hired teachers. Many expressed that becoming part of the Schools Division Office was the realization of a long-cherished dream. They spoke of the challenges they overcame, months and even years of waiting and preparation, countless applications, and unwavering faith that one day they would earn the privilege of serving in the public school system

The most touching moments of the ceremony came from the newly hired teachers, a certain Danica Magdaraog, assigned as Teacher 1 at Timoteo Paez Elementary School, whose heartfelt message resonated throughout the venue. 

          “You might ask, why I chose SDO Pasay? The answer is simple. Mabilis daw po kasi ang pasahod ng Pasay, minsan advance pa. But kidding aside, six of my former coworkers/friends were hired at SDO Pasay after their contracts ended, and they always shared how organized and fast the hiring process was, so hindi lang pala ang sahud ang mabilis pati hiring process din as long as you are qualified. They also told me that SDO Pasay truly follows the ranking system fairly. That alone encouraged me to apply.

 Year 2025, I applied and passed the Registry of Qualified Applicants (RQA) at SDO Pasay. If I remember correctly, I was ranked 30, and applicants ranked 1 to 27 were appointed that year. I was so close. In fact, three of us from our previous school applied, and while my two friends were hired, I was the only one who had to wait.

 Of course, masakit po sobra. There were moments of disappointment, but I held on to God’s promise in Isaiah 60:22: “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” I kept telling myself, maybe this is not my time yet. God must be preparing something even better. This year, 2026, I decided to apply to three divisions—SDO Caloocan, SDO Quezon City, and SDO Pasay for retention, because, as they say, “the more chances, the better”.

 Looking back, everything happened so quickly from receiving the employment email on July 16, completing all the requirements within three days, reporting to my assigned school on July 27, and today, taking my oath as a full-fledged public school teacher in Pasay. At napatunayan ko po na mabilis nga ang hiring process at deployment dito.”

 This underscored the Division’s steadfast commitment to recognizing merit, fostering career of advancement, and strengthening its teaching workforce through transparent and equitable human resource practices. Every appointment reflected the SDO’s continuing investment in building competent, dedicated, and future ready educators who will lead classrooms with excellence and innovation.

As the ceremony concluded, the newly appointed and promoted personnel stood together not only as colleagues but as partners in a shared mission of transforming lives through quality education. Their collective oath resonated as a promise to uphold the highest standards of public service, to embrace every challenge with resilience, and to place the welfare of the learners at the heart of everything they do.

Indeed, the Oath-taking and Appointment Ceremony marked the beginning of another inspiring chapter for the Schools Division Office under the leadership of Dr. Joel T. Torrecampo. It celebrated not only promotions and appointments but also the dreams fulfilled, the hopes renewed, and the enduring belief that every dedicated teacher has the power to change lives, one learner at a time!