The Guidance Counselor Speaks

22/07/2026

Heads up for our aspiring School Counselor Associate (SCA) applicants. Since DepEd is keen to hire SCAs to fulfill its mandate to implement RA 12080, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health Well-Being and Promotion Act, here's the hiring timeline initially provided (let's wait for the final and official pronouncements from the SDOs).

Once the NOSCA is transmitted to SDO's, it will trigger the hiring process.

21/07/2026

Let's make it clear:

A Guidance Counselor is a licensed professional. On the other hand, the School Counselor is a plantilla position created through RA 12080, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health Well-Being and Promotion Act.

The Guidance Counselor is still the appropriate professional to primarily deliver guidance and counseling services in private schools, as well as mental health services, within the bounds of the profession.

As for the public sector, we follow the provisions of RA 12080.

Hence, still, The Guidance Counselor Speaks, as we work together for the improvement of the Guidance and Counseling profession, in the public sector as well as in the private.

ERRATUM: School Counselor plantilla positions are only open for RGCs and RPsys.

21/07/2026

This is the official and legal resolution from the Civil Service Commission, the body mandated to promulgate and approve the Qualification Standards for government plantilla positions.

Thank you, CSC, but we will be waiting for your MCs on certain positions that need to be amended or clarified.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved strengthened Qualification Standards for new School Counselor positions, raising the bar to ensure that highly skilled, specialized mental health professionals are deployed in public schools nationwide.

This milestone operationalizes Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, reinforcing the government's commitment to giving every learner access to quality mental health services.

By strengthening school-based support, we are building safer, more compassionate environments where students can truly thrive.

📖 Learn more and access CSC Resolution No. 2600920 at https://www.csc.gov.ph/downloads/policy-resolutions/category/231-qs-of-selected-positions?download=3756:csc-reso-2600920

20/07/2026

The Qualification Standards of School Counselor Associates implementing RA 12080, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

We have included some key answers to the eligibility requirements of the SCA positions.

20/07/2026

DepEd has announced the immediate hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions as part of the implementation of RA 12080, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

Here are the five (5) Key Result Areas of the SCA I positions.

09/07/2026

The proper public document is a Memorandum Circular or at least have waited with the CSC pronouncement in their website as important policies may require publication.

A public officer (e.g. a person occupying a plantilla position in DepEd) should have known this as s/he is accountable with his/her actions, administratively at the minimum.

06/07/2026

🚨 Maybe we can also apply these analogies to DepEd RGCs not occupying guidance-related plantilla positions.

🛑 Do they also feel like they are part of DepEd?
🛑 Do they feel heard and seen by DepEd?
🛑 Are RGCs valued by their school heads and SDSs?

They were left behind during reclassification and retitling.

For an ordinary RGC in the field to be known by the members of the Execom—all of these go a long way, more than we think.

🎯 Is it their fault that they are not in guidance-related positions because they chose a higher salary grade, given that there was no career progression for Guidance Counselors prior to RA 12080?

Why are SCAs seemed to be prioritized over RGCs who have sacrificed for a long time in DepEd Philippines?

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19URqwFZc6/

05/07/2026

This is a laudable stand coming from the biggest Accredited Professional Organizations of Guidance Counselors under the leadership of Dr. Evangeline Aguilan. We are also looking forward for other APOs to do their roles in making a stand for Guidance Counselors in the Public Sector especially in DepEd.

04/07/2026

🚨🚨‘HINDI NA KAILANGANG LISENSYADO’ IS TOTALLY MISLEADING AND IGNORANT.🛑🚧

Mga boss, may group chat ba kayo?
May mga tao rin kayo sa Learners' Welfare Division. Nagpa-guide ba kayo sa kanila?

The Guidance Counselors are practicing a regulated profession of Guidance and Counseling as provided by RA 9258, otherwise known as the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004. The law provides the minimum educational requirement of a Master's Degree in Counseling to take the licensure examinations.

RA 12080, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, does not provide any implied or expressed repeal of any provision of RA 9258. The DepEd is not above any of these laws rather, they are the implementers.

One basic principle in statutory construction is that when the law is clear, you don't have to interpret.

NB. As of writing, di pa naman published ang "alleged" CSC Resolution No. 2600920. Hence, wala namang basis for the final and approved QS requirements.

Filipinos deserve better DepEd officials.


Sources:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2256203/new-counselor-posts-boost-school-mental-health-services-angara

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/196Ln2jX89/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ehvkg8fjN/

04/07/2026

One with our colleagues from Eastern Visayas.

Basta may puso at malasakit for the profession, alert. Mga taga probinsya, alert. Thank you for starting a true representation to defend our profession!