Angara vows quality, inclusive education among Sulu schools, teachers

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara is committed to providing inclusive and quality education for schools and teachers in Sulu Province, following its formal transition from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to the Zamboanga Peninsula Region (Region IX).

On June 24, Secretary Angara, along with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, emphasized during a forum in Sultan Jamalul Kiram Gymnasium in Maimbung, Sulu, that Sulu will receive the same rights and support as other provinces in the national education system.

“Since part of Region 9 na po kayo, you are part of the [national] Department of Education. You will get your rightful share and we will make sure that no one [excludes] – no [learners, and] no [schools] will be left behind,” Angara said.

The statement comes as the province seeks to address long-standing issues such as the lack of technological resources and the absence of teacher promotions.

In response, DepEd announced that the transition will bring in additional teaching and learning resources, increased teacher items, and expanded benefits.

As part of initial support, DepEd turned over 10 computer units, with additional materials and equipment for both basic and technical-vocational education to follow.

Sulu is also among the beneficiaries of 20,000 new public school teaching positions nationwide, with opportunities for promotion under the Expanded Career Progression System for Teachers.

In addition, 738 Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL) teachers will benefit from the increase in salary from 16,000 pesos to 20,000 pesos to continue offering Islamic and Qur’anic teaching. 

On the other hand, Pangandaman assured that funding for these efforts is already included in the proposed 2026 national budget, ensuring a smooth transition for the province into its new administrative region.

Sulu Governor and Vice Governor-elect Abdusakur Tan expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for prioritizing education in the province.

“Hindi kayo pababayaan ng national government. Hindi kayo pababayaan ni President Bongbong Marcos,” he said.

Sulu was formally excluded from the Bangsamoro region in September 2024, after the Supreme Court upheld its exclusion following a majority rejection of the BARMM in a 2019 plebiscite.