DBM approves 3,627 teaching and teaching-related positions for the new DepEd Schools Division Office of Sulu

DBM Approves 3,627 Teaching and Teaching-Related Positions for DepEd’s New Sulu Schools Division

Published: October 27, 2026 ·
by

Updated October 27, 2026

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the creation of 3,627 teaching and teaching-related positions for the newly established Schools Division Office (SDO) of Sulu of the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd announced the approval on October 27, 2026, saying Education Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed it as a big step for public school teachers and personnel in Sulu (DepEd on X; DepEd news release).

Rappler also reported that the DBM approved the 3,627 teaching and teaching-related positions for SDO Sulu, citing DepEd’s October 27 announcement (Rappler).

Key facts at a glance

  • What was approved: creation of 3,627 teaching and teaching-related positions
  • For whom: the new Schools Division Office of Sulu, now under DepEd Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
  • Approved by: the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
  • Announced: October 27, 2026, by DepEd
  • Position breakdown, salary grades and application schedule: not yet published in the sources available to NewsToGov (see below)

Why Sulu has a new schools division

Sulu voted against the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the 2019 plebiscite. In Province of Sulu v. Executive Secretary (G.R. Nos. 242255, 243246 and 243693, decided September 9, 2024, with a resolution dated November 26, 2024), the Supreme Court affirmed with finality that Sulu is not part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) (Supreme Court; Executive Order No. 91).

On July 30, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 91, s. 2025, declaring the Province of Sulu part of Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) and ordering a phased transition so government services in the province continue without interruption (EO 91 on Lawphil).

Before the October 27 announcement, the DBM had approved the creation of SDO Sulu with an initial staffing complement of 84 non-teaching plantilla positions. The division office has three units: the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent (OSDS), the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) and the School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD). The formal shift of the Sulu schools division to DepEd Region IX was reported on October 20, 2026 (Inquirer; Daily Tribune).

During his October 20 visit to Sulu, President Marcos said the government was coordinating with the DBM on additional plantilla positions “para matiyak na ang lahat ay makatawid at walang maiiwanan” (to make sure everyone can cross over and no one is left behind) (Daily Tribune; Inquirer).

Who gets priority in hiring

For the new division office, Secretary Angara directed DepEd Region IX to oversee the recruitment, selection and appointment process, with priority for qualified personnel currently serving under the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) in Sulu, subject to Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules (Inquirer; Daily Tribune).

DepEd has not yet said, in the sources available to NewsToGov, how many of the 3,627 positions will go to current MBHTE teachers and staff moving to the new division, or whether any will be opened to new applicants.

Separate from the 1,467 Teacher I items announced in May

In May 2026, the DBM approved 32,916 new teaching positions nationwide for School Year 2026–2027. Region IX received the biggest allocation, 3,361 items, including 1,467 Teacher I positions earmarked for the Division of Sulu (PIA).

That May allocation was a separate announcement. The sources NewsToGov reviewed do not say whether the 1,467 Teacher I items are included in, or are in addition to, the 3,627 positions announced on October 27.

How and where to apply

No application schedule has been announced yet for the 3,627 positions in the sources available to NewsToGov. There is no official list of vacancies, qualification standards or deadline for these items yet.

What applicants and current Sulu teachers can do for now:

  • Watch the official pages of DepEd Region IX and the Schools Division Office of Sulu for vacancy announcements. DepEd Region IX oversees recruitment for SDO Sulu.
  • Check the CSC job portal and NewsToGov’s DepEd job listings, such as the latest DepEd Region IX openings, for posted vacancies with deadlines.
  • Current MBHTE personnel in Sulu: wait for guidance from DepEd Region IX, since qualified MBHTE personnel are given priority subject to CSC rules.
  • Be wary of anyone offering to “reserve” a teaching item for a fee. Government positions are filled through the official recruitment, selection and appointment process.

What is not yet announced

  • The breakdown of the 3,627 positions (for example, how many are Teacher I or other teaching and teaching-related items)
  • Salary grades and pay for the specific items
  • How many will absorb current MBHTE personnel and how many, if any, will be open to new applicants
  • Application dates, requirements and where to submit
  • When appointments will take effect

For general reference on public school teacher pay, see our teacher salary grade guide. NewsToGov will update this article once DepEd or the DBM releases the details.

Sources

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