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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Landmark move': DepEd hails P1.224-T education budget — first to meet UNESCO's 4% GDP benchmark

'Landmark move': DepEd hails P1.224-T education budget — first to meet UNESCO's 4% GDP benchmark

Published Sep 2, 2025 04:06 pm

At A Glance

  • DepEd said the Philippines hit a historic milestone by meeting UNESCO's 4% GDP benchmark with a P1.224-trillion education budget for 2026
  • The allocation covers DepEd, SUCs, CHED, TESDA, and attached agencies, prioritizing classrooms, feeding programs, teacher hiring, and digital learning
  • DepEd said the budget, anchored on its 5-Point Reform Agenda, is a landmark investment in the future of Filipino learners
For the first time, DepEd said the Philippines meets UNESCO education budget standard with P1.224-T allocation. (MB Visual Content Group)
For the first time, DepEd said the Philippines meets UNESCO education budget standard with P1.224-T allocation. (MB Visual Content Group)
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, September 2, welcomed President Marcos’ historic allocation of P1.224 trillion to the education sector under the proposed 2026 national budget—marking the first time the Philippines has met the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of spending four percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on education.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed gratitude to Marcos and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), calling the move a “landmark investment” in the future of Filipino learners.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mahal na Pangulo dahil, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, compliant sa UNESCO standards ang budget ng edukasyon (We thank our beloved President because, for the very first time, the education budget is compliant with UNESCO standards),” Angara said in a statement.
“Patunay ito na nasa pinakamataas na prayoridad ni PBBM ang edukasyon ng ating bansa (This proves that education is the highest priority of President Bongbong Marcos for our country),” he added.
Breakdown of the 2026 education budget
According to the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted to Congress, the allocation will be distributed as follows: DepEd — P928.52 billion; State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) — P134.99 billion; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) — P34 billion; and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) — P20.24 billion.
The proposed budget for DepEd, anchored on its 5-Point Reform Agenda, reflects an 18.9 percent increase from 2025. DepEd said key priorities include:
- P115.4 billion for school operations, the Senior High School Voucher Program, and the School-Based Feeding Program;
-  P41.6 billion for classroom construction, repair, and rehabilitation under the Basic Education Facilities Fund;
-  P15.4 billion for additional plantilla positions such as Project Development Officers and Administrative Officers; and
-  P13.8 billion for the DepEd Computerization Program to boost digital learning.
Budget for attached agencies
The following DepEd-attached agencies will also receive funding: National Museum of the Philippines — P840.9 million; National Academy of Sports — P251.1 million; Teacher Education Council — P207.5 million; Philippine High School for the Arts — P160.7 million; National Book Development Board — P156.6 million; and National Council for Children’s Television — P72.6 million.
Investment in the future
Angara stressed that the allocation demonstrates the administration’s strong commitment to prioritizing education.
“This landmark move is not only an investment in education—it is an investment in the future of our learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality of education possible,” he said.
DepEd will begin defending its proposed 2026 budget in the coming weeks, starting with deliberations at the House of Representatives.

Related Tags

DepEd budget 2026 UNESCO GDP education benchmark Philippine education spending Marcos education budget DepEd 5-Point Reform Agenda DepEd Computerization Program
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