Senators back ‘historic’ proposed 2026 DepEd budget

Senators are pushing for the approval of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed P1.044 trillion budget for 2026—the largest in Philippine history—in a bid to address the long-standing issues in the basic education system.

Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said that the historic budget would help resolve the country's massive classroom backlog and boost student nutrition.

“Let me say that the work that the committee has put in the budget is really exemplary. Sa totoo lang po, matatawag talagang education budget itong budget natin (honestly, our budget can really be called an education budget)," Aquino said during Monday’s plenary debates on DepEd’s budget.

To recall, the Department of Budget and Management has said that the Marcos administration’s proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 places at its center the education sector.

In total, Aquino said that the proposed allocation for the whole education sector amounted to P1.38 trillion. 

"Ngayon lang tayo sa 4 to 6% na prescribed ng United Nations. Ibig sabihin po noon, nasa tamang paggastos tayo pagdating sa edukasyon," he added, referring to the UN recommendation to increase the budget for education to 4 percent to 6 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

(We have reached the 4 to 6% prescribed by the United Nations. That means we are spending the right amount when it comes to education.)

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, meanwhile, said the proposed 2026 budget will accelerate addressing the problems in the education sector. 

“We trust that under the able leadership of our distinguished former colleague, Secretary Sonny Angara, this sizable budget will accelerate the construction of classrooms, improve the compensation for teachers and tutors, and ensure that every learner has access to textbooks and other school materials that they need,” said Zubiri.

Sen. Pia Cayetano also underscored DepEd’s preparedness to act on the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) recommendations: “What is so heartwarming is that many of the findings of EDCOM were very easily translatable into actionable action and final products because the Secretary was very familiar with it.”

Education Secretary Sonny Angara thanked the Senate for its endorsement of the agency’s budget. 

“Para sa amin sa DepEd, ang suporta ng Senado ay malinaw na patunay na buong bansa ang nakatutok sa muling pagbangon ng basic education. Ito ang pagkakataon para makapagtayo ng mas maayos na silid-aralan, makapagbigay ng mas matibay na suporta sa ating mga guro, at masiguro ang mas malusog at handa sa mundo ang mga mag-aaral,” Angara said. 

(For us at DepEd, the Senate's support is clear proof that the entire country is focused on the betterment of basic education. This gives us the opportunity to build better classrooms, provide stronger support to our teachers, and ensure that students are healthier and ready for the world.)

According to DepEd, it expects the speeding up of classroom construction and easing overcrowding more significantly in the coming years by adopting multiple construction pathways, with the help of local government units and the private sector, among others.

The agency also plans to eliminate the nationwide teacher shortage through expanded hiring in 2026, widen digital connectivity for thousands of unserved schools, and deploy 10,000 school counselor associates to strengthen mental health and anti-bullying support across campuses. —VAL, GMA Integrated News