The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, December 9, announced that the proposed P41.18-billion budget for private education subsidies in 2026 is poised to expand the reach of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) programs—marking another year of strengthened oversight and reform under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.

The amount, included in the Senate-approved 2026 national budget and pending bicameral review, is P670 million higher than the previous year’s allocation, said DepEd in a statement. 

DepEd said the increase reflects President Marcos' continuing push to reinforce government assistance for the 2.6 million learners studying in private schools, particularly in areas where public schools remain overcrowded or inaccessible.According to DepEd, GASTPE’s expansion remains a key congestion-management strategy for the public school system.

Estimates show that for every 35 to 40 students enrolled in private schools through government vouchers, one public school classroom is effectively decongested. Higher funding in 2026 is expected to support uninterrupted implementation and respond to the rising demand for subsidies.

“All of these efforts ensure that learners—especially those in areas with insufficient public school facilities—receive quality education,” Angara said in a mix of English and Filipino. 

“DepEd must also make sure that the increased funding for vouchers and subsidies is used correctly," he said. With the support of private school partners, we will secure the continued and stable learning of over two million students," he added. 

For 2026, DepEd aims to support 989,471 junior high school beneficiaries under the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program and 1,475,264 senior high school grantees under the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP). 

The proposed budget also preserves the P24,000 annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) and assistance for 117,150 SHS learners pursuing Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) specializations.Angara noted that the higher allocation aligns with new reforms enhancing the Public and Private Basic Education Complementarity Framework, which upholds the shared mandate of both sectors in delivering equitable education. 

Under his leadership, DepEd has tightened GASTPE management, addressed long-standing coordination issues, and clarified program guidelines following concerns raised in earlier reviews.

DepEd has also strengthened its safeguards to ensure subsidy integrity. The agency said it now implements a five-step validation system, including cross-checking the Voucher Management System with DepEd’s Learner Information System, post-audit visits to participating private schools, and second-semester revalidation of learner eligibility.

These reforms aim to prevent fraudulent claims and eliminate “ghost beneficiaries.”

As a result, the DepEd Central Office is currently investigating seven cases involving erring private schools, and criminal charges have been filed against individuals involved in the illegal disbursement of P37.58 million in SHS voucher funds.

“We want to ensure that subsidies are delivered on time and that program rules are applied consistently and fairly across regions,” Angara said. “Every peso for education must reach legitimate learners," he added.

Recent analyses of the voucher system and Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP) reaffirm their impact on widening access for low-income families and easing early-grade classroom congestion, especially if expanded to Kindergarten up to Grade 3. 

Beneficiaries also reported high satisfaction rates, underscoring the need for predictable funding and ongoing improvements in implementation.

Angara said the 2026 budget, backed by the Marcos administration and supported by both chambers of Congress, shows confidence in the reforms driving DepEd’s efforts to strengthen access, efficiency, and public-private collaboration. 

He added that DepEd will continue refining GASTPE systems to ensure that the final 2026 budget translates into broader coverage and more dependable learning opportunities for vulnerable students.