Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara expressed disappointment after Congress cut ₱10 billion from President Marcos’ proposed budget for the department, particularly the funds allocated for computerization projects in 2025.

Angara said the reduction comes despite the President’s appeal during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he called on Congress to help bridge the digital divide in education.

“In past years, Congress has increased the President’s proposed budget for DepEd and education. For whatever reason, nakakalungkot na hindi Ito mauulit sa 2025 budget (sadly, this will not be repeated in the 2025 budget),” he said in a statement on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Despite the disappointment over the P10 billion cut in the DepEd’s proposed budget for computerization, Angara is still hopeful that the issue will be resolved by President Marcos.

“Pero ang maganda dito, mismong si Presdent Bongbong [Marcos] ang nagsabi sa amin na reremedyohan niya ito (But the good thing is, President Bongbong Marcos himself told us that he will address this),” Angara said.

The DepEd chief said on X on Dec. 12 that the budget cut “could have funded thousands of computers/gadgets for our public school children.”

“Infrastructure is important, but so is investing in our people and human capital. The digital divide will widen,” he added.

The agency runs the DepEd Computerization Program, a key annual initiative that delivers essential technology to thousands of public schools nationwide and empowers them to confront the challenges of the 21st century.