The Department of Education is seeking a P1.044-trillion budget for 2026 to accelerate major reforms addressing the country’s deepening learning crisis, with the Senate increasing the allocation by 12.65 percent and adding P77.66 billion to the House-approved version.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the expanded budget backs President Marcos’ directives on learning recovery, improving school environments, and boosting support for underserved communities.
Significant increases include funding for textbooks and learning materials—rising to P29.29 billion to produce over 79 million resources—and the school-based feeding program, which will expand coverage to 4.49 million learners.
Disaster preparedness funds also surged to P3.77 billion, while infrastructure spending tripled to P85.41 billion to build over 25,000 classrooms and repair nearly 12,000 more.
The budget will additionally strengthen DepEd’s workforce through new teaching and administrative positions, expanded benefits, and sustained support for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning program’s 98,401 tutors.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 26, 2025
