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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate backs increased DepEd budget for 2026

Senate backs increased DepEd budget for 2026

Published Nov 25, 2025 02:59 pm

At A Glance

  • The agency's proposed P1.044-trillion budget for 2026 is considered the largest in the country's history, as senators commit towards resolving long-standing issues plaguing the basic education system.

The Senate on Monday, November 24 night rallied behind the Department of Education (DepEd) and its leadership under Secretary Sonny Angara, approving the agency’s proposed P1.044-trillion budget for 2026. 

The said amount is considered the largest in the country’s history, as senators commit towards resolving long-standing issues plaguing the basic education system. 

The figure represents a 12.65% increase from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and reflects an additional P77.66-billion compared to the House of Representatives’ approved version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

The said increase also reinforces the Senate and the agency’s commitment to President Marcos Jr.’s order for the government to prioritize learning recovery, safe and modern school environments, and equitable access to resources for all learners.

Among the key education programs that received a major boost include the Textbook and Learning Materials Fund which was doubled from P11.16-billion (in the NEP version) to P29.29-billion in the Senate version; the School-based Feeding Program expansion (from P11.77-billion to P28.66-billion); Disaster Preparedness and Response Program (from P665-million to P3.77-billion); and Basic Education Facilities (from P28.06-billion to P85.41-billion).

The DepEd’s budget for 2026 also strengthened personnel support through funding for 323, 916 new teachers, 6,000 school principals, 10,000 administrative officers II positions and 5,000 PDO I posts, expanded laptop provision for teachers, increased allocations for personnel benefits, including relocation allowances. 

The Senate also retained the entire budget for the nationwide ARAL learning recovery program, ensuring compensation for 98,401 tutors. 

Other DepEd programs that gained higher allocations include the Last Mile Schools Program (P5.25-billion), Human Resource Development (P4.66-billion), Alternative Learning System (P897 million), and the Electrification of Schools under NEA (P3.67-billion), along with increased funding for inclusive education programs such as Indigenous Peoples Education (P154.44-million), Special Needs Education (P1.04-billion), and the Madrasah Education Program (P521.61-million).

Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV, chairman of the Senate Committee in Basic Education, threw his support for Angara and expressed hope that DepEd’s budget for next year would be a “fresh start for our education system.”

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri echoed the endorsement, saying Congress placed its trust in Angara’s leadership. 

“We trust that under the able leadership of our distinguished former colleague, Secretary Sonny Angara, this sizable budget will accelerate the construction of classrooms, improve the compensation for teachers and tutors, and ensure that every learner has access to textbooks and other school materials that they need,” Zubiri said. 

Sen. Pia Cayetano, for her part, welcomed DepEd’s preparedness to act on the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) recommendations.

“What is so heartwarming is that many of the findings of EDCOM were very easily translatable into actionable action and final products because the Secretary was very familiar with it.”

On his part, Angara thanked the Senate for its strong endorsement of the agency’s budget, saying it reflects a broader national commitment to push the country’s basic education agenda of the President.

“For us at DepEd, the Senate’s support is clear proof that the entire country is focused on reviving basic education. This is an opportunity to build better classrooms, provide stronger support to our teachers, and ensure healthier and more world-ready students,” Angara said.

“We will make this value worthwhile through changes that will be truly felt by every Filipino,” he further stated. 

Related Tags

DepEd 2026 national budget Senate Sonny Angara PBBM
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