The Department of Education (DepEd) has formally requested a ₱928.52-billion allocation in the proposed 2026 national budget, marking the first time the Philippines would dedicate 4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to education in line with UNESCO standards.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara presented the budget proposal on Tuesday before the Senate committee on finance subcommittee, emphasizing that the funds would directly respond to classroom shortages, student malnutrition, and teacher welfare.

“There are still big challenges that we face in the education sector, but the direction is clear — every peso is for our teachers and learners,” Angara said.

Breakdown of Allocations

The 2026 DepEd budget request includes:

• ₱13.2 billion – to classroom construction, targeting the completion of almost 4,900 new rooms to address overcrowding in public schools.

• ₱11.8 billion – school-based feeding programs to provide daily meals for kindergarten pupils and undernourished learners.

• ₱16 billion – digital learning tools, which include laptops for teachers and internet access for schools that remain unconnected.

• ₱6 billion – career progression, supporting the promotion of roughly 113,000 teachers and school heads.

Angara added that DepEd has also prepared a “wishlist” for other long-term initiatives, such as modernization of school facilities and disaster preparedness.

Senate Backing

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV expressed strong support for the proposed allocation and suggested that the Senate is open to further increasing DepEd’s share of the budget.

“We are in full support of DepEd, and we hope we can funnel these funds to initiatives which, we know, can truly help our people and children. We have been pushing for this since the beginning of [the] session,” Aquino said.

Aquino also urged DepEd to present updated data on the classroom backlog to ensure funds are accurately targeted.

The education budget discussions come as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised the possibility of diverting at least ₱275 billion in funds from flood control projects to strengthen education and healthcare.

If approved, DepEd’s 2026 budget will represent a landmark investment in the future of Philippine education — tackling immediate needs like classrooms and nutrition while laying the groundwork for long-term reforms.