Teachers to Get Overtime Pay as DepEd Releases Funds

MANILA, Philippines — Public school teachers will soon be compensated for the extra hours they have worked, as the Department of Education (DepEd) has authorized the release of overtime pay.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed DepEd Order No. 26, a directive that sets the guidelines for identifying qualified recipients and implementing the disbursement of funds.

Legal Basis

The policy stems from Republic Act 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. The law requires that teachers performing duties outside of their regular workload—such as co-curricular programs, out-of-school activities, and other tasks beyond classroom hours—receive no less than 25 percent additional pay on top of their daily wage after six hours of teaching.

Who Qualifies

The order specifies that the following are entitled to overtime pay:

• Full-time classroom teachers in all public elementary, junior, and senior high schools

• Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers, regardless of whether they are permanent, substitute, or provisional appointees

• Teaching staff in Community Learning Centers

Statement from DepEd

In its directive, DepEd stressed that the move reflects its commitment to honor the sacrifices of teachers.

“This order is issued to properly compensate teaching personnel for the additional time and effort they devote to their work, and to establish a clear framework for the efficient and effective implementation of overtime pay,” the document read.

Bigger Picture

The department said the institutionalization of overtime pay is not only about financial relief, but also about ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with government compensation policies.

By releasing these benefits, DepEd said it aims to safeguard the welfare and dignity of teachers, who are often required to render services beyond classroom instruction.