P31.2 billion available to fill 64,530 teaching posts – DBM

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have clarified reports that the proposed 2027 national budget provides “zero funding” for the hiring of public school teachers, stressing that P31.22 billion is provided for the filling of 64,530 authorized teaching positions.

The two agencies clarified that while the national expenditure program (NEP) does not propose the creation of another batch of new Teacher I positions, this does not mean that DepEd cannot hire teachers in 2027.

Of the 64,530 teaching positions funded for filling, 31,614 are existing vacant teaching positions recorded in the Government Manpower Information System as of April 24, 2026, while another 32,916 teaching positions were newly created and approved by DBM in May 2026.

These authorized positions remain available for DepEd to fill as qualified applicants are hired. They do not expire simply because they are not immediately filled within the year they were created.

DepEd and DBM noted that the 64,530 teaching positions reflected in the proposed 2027 budget are based on the official personnel data available to DBM during the budget preparation process and the applicable cut-off periods.

These comprise 31,614 existing vacant teaching positions recorded in the GMIS as of April 24, 2026 and 32,916 newly created teaching positions subsequently approved by DBM in May 2026.

abtestabtest What Supreme Court's Imelda Marcos acquittal means, and what it doesn't 1 day ago The Supreme Court has overturned Imelda Marcos' seven-count graft conviction over foundations tied to the Marcos family's... Headlines President Marcos to represent Asean at BRICS Summit in India By Helen Flores | 1 day ago President Marcos departed for New Delhi, India on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is set to represent the... Headlines ‘Only 10 votes needed to reverse 16-vote rule’ By Neil Jayson Servallos | 1 day ago It will take only 10 votes from senator-judges to overturn the initial ruling that requires 16 votes to convict Vice President... Headlines Senate approves Philippines-France visiting forces pact By Neil Jayson Servallos | 1 day ago The Senate committee on foreign relations has approved the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines... Headlines Palawan ferry fire death toll rises to 35; 53 still missing By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 17 hours ago The death toll from the ferry fire off Coron, Palawan has risen to 35, with 43 survivors and 53 people still missing, the... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Leptospirosis cases still high Robinsons Land, MMDA enhance mobility across key Metro Manila routes ‘Elyu’ rides Trabaho at Negosyo wave DPWH boosts Oplan Kontra Baha initiatives abtest CICC to lead ASEAN cooperation on online child safety By Emmanuel Tupas | 50 minutes ago The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center vows to push for stronger cooperation among Southeast Asian countries... Headlines Marcos arrives in India for BRICS Summit, seeks stronger ties By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 9 hours ago President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in New Delhi, India on Friday night to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and meet with Indian... Headlines Muslim enclave trades bullets for election ballots By Chad Williams | 9 hours ago On a basketball court in the Philippines' Marawi, ballots piled high on pallets awaited transport to towns across a Muslim-majority... Headlines Martin Romualdez transferred to PGH for independent medical check By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 15 hours ago Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was brought to the Philippine General Hospital on Saturday morning, September 11, for... Headlines Sandigan orders transfer of Romualdez to PGH By Daphne Galvez | 1 day ago The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the transfer of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the Philippine General Hospital... Headlines Recommended Paglili sa bilyones September 12, 2026 - 12:00am Pila ka adlaw sa dili pa mosugod pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya aron pagmatuod sa pasangil sa ilegal nga katigayonan ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Lunes, gipalili na sa...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Supina ni Sara September 10, 2026 - 12:00am Mas lig-on ang mga sukaranan sa defense team ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagsupak sa mosyon nga ipasaka sa prosekusyon nga moawhag sa Senate impeachment court sa pag-supina niya aron maoy mangunay sa pagtubag...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Gusto’g circus  September 10, 2026 - 12:00am Gipahibawo sa prosecution panel, pinaagi ni Atty. Lorna Kapunan, nga dili na nila ipresentar ang nahabiling 15 ka mga testigo sa Article I sa impeachment case batok ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Amici Curaie September 10, 2026 - 12:00am Karong Septiyembre 16, adlaw nga Miyerkules, ang mga Senador maglantugi kon pila gyud ang gidaghanon sa mga Senator-Judges nga mobotar aron nga makonbikto si Vice President Sara Duterte. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Minilyon ka trolls September 9, 2026 - 12:00am Kapin sa oras si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte nga nagbarug sa tugkaran, sa wala pa mosulod sa Quezon City Hall, nibalibad sa elevator ug nikatkat sa hagdanan paingon sa korte sa ikalimang andana nga nihikay sa iyang...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Paglili sa bilyones Pila ka adlaw sa dili pa mosugod pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya aron pagmatuod sa pasangil sa ilegal nga katigayonan ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Lunes, gipalili na sa House panel of prosecutors ang publiko sa iyang bank accounts: 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Supina ni Sara Mas lig-on ang mga sukaranan sa defense team ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagsupak sa mosyon nga ipasaka sa prosekusyon nga moawhag sa Senate impeachment court sa pag-supina niya aron maoy mangunay sa pagtubag sa mga pasangil: 3 days ago SARA DUTERTE Gusto’g circus  Gipahibawo sa prosecution panel, pinaagi ni Atty. Lorna Kapunan, nga dili na nila ipresentar ang nahabiling 15 ka mga testigo sa Article I sa impeachment case batok ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte. 3 days ago SARA DUTERTE Amici Curaie Karong Septiyembre 16, adlaw nga Miyerkules, ang mga Senador maglantugi kon pila gyud ang gidaghanon sa mga Senator-Judges nga mobotar aron nga makonbikto si Vice President Sara Duterte. 3 days ago SARA DUTERTE Minilyon ka trolls Kapin sa oras si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte nga nagbarug sa tugkaran, sa wala pa mosulod sa Quezon City Hall, nibalibad sa elevator ug nikatkat sa hagdanan paingon sa korte sa ikalimang andana nga nihikay sa iyang piyansa para sa giatubang nga kasong kriminal. 4 days ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!