BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his gratitude for the full support and call for additional funding from the members of the House of Representatives (HRep), as the Department of Education (DepEd) successfully defended its Fiscal Year 2026 budget before the Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s prioritization of education for next year. 

The agency’s proposed budget for 2026—amounting to ₱928.52 billion under the National Expenditures Program—represents an 18.9% increase compared to the 2025 General Appropriations Act. Secretary Angara described this as the “most significant increase in recent years.” 

“We thank the committee and the members for giving us the time to present our programs and proposals. In the Department, we hold on to a simple truth—that those who have less in life should have more in education,” Angara said. 

Resounding call for higher education funding 

Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing reaffirmed the House’s support for President Marcos Jr. and DepEd. 

“As the President said, we want this budget to be an education budget. So I will take the words of Sec. Angara, who was also a brilliant chair of the Senate Finance Committee, if we are able to find ample fiscal space, we commit to prioritize funding for education,” she said. 

Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing also commended Angara’s leadership, particularly in harnessing technology to address gaps in education. “We have to address gaps immediately and our good Secretary has been working extremely hard to address those gaps… It’s really hard to find people in government who are willing to go beyond their mandate and we have that in the Department of Education,” Rep. Suansing said. 

Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Norte 2nd District Rep. Irene Labadlabad likewise underscored the need to prioritize the budget of DepEd above all other national government agencies.  

She wants to “to urge this body to hopefully fight for a higher [budget]…I know we’re working with the tight fiscal space but we can do our best to urge this body to increase the budget for DepEd.” 

In her sponsorship message, Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson and DepEd Budget Sponsor Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora emphasized that the proposed education budget will directly target long-standing challenges in the sector. 

“This expanded budget is designed to strengthen and grow the teaching workforce, enhance learning integration, and combat child stunting, ensuring that learners receive adequate nutrition to support their physical and mental development. It also aims to close resource and infrastructure gaps in schools,” Rep. Zamora said. 

Angara, in turn, expressed deep appreciation to Congress’ leadership: “To our brilliant defender and sponsor, Cong. Maricar Zamora—seven years, wow. Hindi ko alam paano mo nagawa ‘ho yun. Nagpapasalamat din po tayo kay Committee Chair Cong. Mika Suansing at sa lahat ng mga committee members.” 

Angara, in turn, expressed deep appreciation to Congress’ leadership: “To our brilliant defender and sponsor, Cong. Maricar Zamora—seven years, wow. Hindi ko alam paano mo nagawa ‘ho yun. Nagpapasalamat din po tayo kay Committee Chair Cong. Mika Suansing at sa lahat ng mga committee members.” 

Spending every peso and centavo wisely 

During the hearing, Secretary Angara reported that the Department has been doubling its efforts to improve the utilization of funds for FY 2024 under continuing appropriations. He highlighted that out of the 56% of unused budget last year, 43.2% has already been appropriated by the agency in 2025. 

He also discussed with the committee members the Department’s major programs and initiatives for teachers and learners, including the hiring of additional teaching staff and administrative officers, provision of teacher benefits, the School-Based Feeding Program, and procurement of learning materials and textbooks. 

Still, the Department acknowledged that classroom shortages and the digital gap remain long-standing challenges. Angara, however, vowed that DepEd will continue to explore creative and innovative solutions to address these issues. 

“Kagaya ng palagi nating sinasabi, patuloy tayong gumagawa ng mga pamamaraan para lutasin ang mga suliranin na kinakaharap ng ating mga mag-aaral at guro. Sa pamamagitan ng suporta ng Kongreso, mas magiging mabilis at maayos ang paghahatid natin ng serbisyo sa mga paaralan,” he said. 

*All Photos from DepEd