BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Education Secretary Sonny Angara thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for earmarking ₱1.224 trillion for the education sector under the proposed FY 2026 national budget—marking the first time the Philippines has allocated 4% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to education, in line with UNESCO standards. 

Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the DBM to Congress, the Department of Education (DepEd) will receive the largest share at ₱928.52 billion. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will get ₱134.99 billion, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ₱34 billion, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ₱20.24 billion. 

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mahal na Pangulo dahil, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, compliant sa UNESCO standards ang budget ng edukasyon. Patunay ito na nasa pinakamataas na prayoridad ni PBBM ang edukasyon ng ating bansa,” Secretary Angara said. 

“This landmark move is not only an investment in education—it is an investment in the future of our learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality of education possible,” he added. 

DepEd’s budget proposal, anchored on its 5-Point Reform Agenda, reflects an 18.9% increase from the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act. Of this, ₱115.4 billion will support school operations, the Senior High School Voucher Program, and the School-Based Feeding Program, among others. 

The Department will also allocate ₱41.6 billion for the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of classrooms and other programs under the Basic Education Facilities Fund to help close the long-standing issue on classroom shortage. 

DepEd will also strengthen its workforce by allocating ₱15.4 billion for additional plantilla positions such as Project Development Officers and Administrative Officers to better support teachers. Meanwhile, ₱13.8 billion will fund the DepEd Computerization Program to advance digital learning. 

For DepEd’s attached agencies, the proposed allocations are as follows: National Museum of the Philippines (₱840.9 million), National Academy of Sports (₱251.1 million), Teacher Education Council (₱207.5 million), Philippine High School for the Arts (₱160.7 million), National Book Development Board (₱156.6 million), and National Council for Children’s Television (₱72.6 million). 

Led by Secretary Angara, DepEd is set to defend its proposed 2026 budget in the coming weeks, starting with the House of Representatives’ committee-level deliberations. 

*All Photos from DepEd