The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of billions in additional funding for its 2026 budget, describing it as a crucial boost for classrooms, programs, and services long awaited by students and teachers.
The increase, passed during plenary deliberations earlier this week, raises the education sector’s allocation to a record ₱1.224 trillion under the 2026 National Expenditure Program—marking the first time the Philippines has reached UNESCO’s recommended 4% spending benchmark for education. DepEd originally proposed ₱928.52 billion.
“Pasalamat tayo sa Kongreso na dinagdagan nila ang budget para sa edukasyon. Malaking bagay ‘yung dagdag na classrooms, upuan, at feeding program para mas gumaan ang sitwasyon sa mga paaralan. Pero ang pinakamahalaga, maipatupad agad nang maayos para makahabol tayo sa mga naantalang proyekto at maramdaman agad ang resulta ng mga mag-aaral at guro,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.
A significant portion—₱22.5 billion—was earmarked for the Basic Education Facilities Fund, which will speed up the construction and repair of classrooms and the procurement of furniture. Lawmakers also supported DepEd’s plan to collaborate with local governments and private partners to ensure faster delivery.
Funding was also approved for programs that serve out-of-school youth and learners in special contexts:
₱306 million for the Alternative Learning System and Flexible Learning Program
₱193 million for Special Needs Education
₱79.6 million for Indigenous Peoples Education
₱26.25 million for Madrasah Education
To address pandemic learning gaps, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program will receive ₱579.5 million for overload pay of public school teachers and ₱984 million for the compensation of non-DepEd tutors, expanding tutoring support nationwide.
The School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) also gained an additional ₱1.88 billion, on top of the ₱11.8 billion already in the NEP, to ensure millions of children continue receiving nutritious meals.
“With this budget support, we can move faster to deliver classrooms, meals, and services that learners urgently need. Our goal is to make sure every peso directly improves the learning experience in schools,” Angara added.
The realigned funds became available after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos ordered a sweeping review of the Department of Public Works and Highways budget, leading to the reallocation of ₱255 billion originally set for flood control projects.
