Private sector groups back P1.38-T education budget

Major business and education organizations have expressed confidence in the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara as they endorsed the proposed P1.38-trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 national budget.

The endorsement came from the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), and the Association of Foundations.

The groups said sustained trust in the Department of Education's (DepEd) leadership is essential to ensuring that increased public investment results in “meaningful improvements” for learners, teachers, and schools.

DepEd’s budget under the Senate-approved version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill stands at P1.044 trillion. 

Several senators have also expressed support for the proposed P1.044 trillion budget for DepEd in 2026

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.
 

Trust

Angara, meanwhile, thanked the organizations for what he described as a renewed affirmation of trust in the Department’s focus on transparency, data-driven policymaking, and collaboration.

“Our commitment is to ensure that every peso is used effectively and that learners, teachers, and parents feel the impact in their classrooms and communities.”

Angara also underscored that his leadership has prioritized partnerships with the private sector and development organizations to complement government programs.

Since his appointment, DepEd has expanded work on teacher upskilling, digital learning support, curriculum enhancement, and learning remediation.

These collaborations include initiatives with business and philanthropic groups, publishers, and international partners such as UNICEF, World Bank, ADB, UNESCO, USAID, and SEAMEO-INNOTECH.

“These partnerships help us rebuild confidence in the public school system,” Angara said.

“They bring expertise, innovation, and accountability into the work of improving learning outcomes," he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News