To:   Regional Directors
School Superintendents

1.   It has been observed that many teachers retire as Teacher I despite having served for 20 years or more. An application of the ERF Scheme should have upgraded the positions of these teachers. It is possible that many teachers are unaware of the opportunities offered by such scheme or do not bother to apply because of the documentary requirements.

2.   As a manifestation of DECS concern for the welfare of these teachers and to provide adequate recognition for dedicating the best years of their life to teaching, regional/division offices are hereby directed to upgrade the positions of teachers entitled to “automatic position upgrading”.

3.   Automatic Position Upgrading is hereby defined as adjustment of salary given to Teachers I who have rendered 20 or more years satisfactory teaching service without the need for filing an application to ERF upgrading.

4.   The computation of the length of service shall include only the years of teaching experience which were not credited in the computation of step increment due to length of service as provided under Joint CSC-DBM Circular No. 1, series of 1990.

5.   The salary increase corresponding to the upgrading of the position shall be effected through the issuance of Notice of Salary Adjustment by the Schools Division Superintendent or Head of the School for secondary school (copy inclosed). The teacher shall be given the salary rate of the new salary grade corresponding to his designated salary step. (Example: Teacher I, SG 10, Step 2, P,821.00 monthly shall given salary adjustment as SG 11, Step 2, P9,349.00 monthly.)

6.   Division offices are directed to identify the teachers who meet the length of service requirement provided herein. Priority shall be given to teachers who meet the length of service requirement at earlier dates. However, retirable teachers shall be given priority.

7.   Certification as to qualified teachers shall be submitted to the regional director by the division superintendent concerned as bases for payment in addition to the Notice of Salary Adjustment and Service Records.

8.   Funding for the initial implementation of the salary upgrading provided herein shall be charged against the allocation for salary adjustment based on Equivalents Record Form and savings from personal services of the concerned divisions and schools in the case of secondary school teachers, subject to the approval of the DBM and existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

9.   Immediate dissemination and implementation of this Order is directed.

Reference: DECS Order: No. 27, s. 1999

Allotment: 1-(D.O. 50-97)
To be indicated in the Perpetual Index
under the following subjects:FORMS
POLICY
TEACHERS