The Department of Education plans to allocate its proposed P1.044-trillion budget for 2026 toward reforms tackling the country's learning crisis. Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the Senate's approval of additional funds to support learning recovery and infrastructure upgrades. This move aligns with President Marcos' priorities for underserved communities.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has outlined how its proposed P1.044-trillion budget for 2026 will drive reforms to combat the worsening learning crisis. Education Secretary Sonny Angara noted that the Senate version of the General Appropriations Bill boosts the allocation by 12.65 percent over the National Expenditure Program, adding P77.66 billion compared to the House measure.
This funding supports President Marcos' focus on learning recovery, better school environments, and improved resources for learners in underserved areas. "Every peso added to the budget is a vote of confidence in our direction. It signals that Congress and the people expect us to deliver, and we intend to meet that expectation with transparency, urgency and integrity," Angara stated.
The budget advances DepEd's roadmap for enhanced access, accountability, learning quality, and future-readiness. Key increases include textbooks and materials, rising from P11.16 billion to P29.29 billion, enabling production of over 79 million resources and more titles for early-grade reading.
The school-based feeding program gets P28.66 billion, up from P11.77 billion, to serve 4.49 million learners, covering all Kinder to Grade 1 students and wasted learners in Grades 2 to 6. Disaster preparedness funding surges to P3.77 billion from P665 million, funding emergency centers, micro weather stations, clearing operations in 4,227 schools, and temporary learning spaces.
Infrastructure sees a historic jump to P85.41 billion from P28.06 billion, supporting 25,527 new classrooms, repairs to 11,886 rooms, and completion of unfinished buildings to address shortages. Personnel enhancements include 323,916 teaching positions, 6,000 principal roles, 10,000 Administrative Officer II posts, 5,000 Project Development Officer I positions, expanded laptop distribution, and benefits like relocation allowances. The Academic Recovery program retains full funding for 98,401 tutors.