Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso thanked Senator Bam Aquino for helping secure what he described as the biggest education allocation in Philippine history under the proposed 2026 national budget.

During Manila City Hall’s flag ceremony, Aquino announced that 600 new classrooms would be built through funding included in the 2026 national budget.

Domagoso said Aquino has been among the key lawmakers pushing for greater assistance for students, particularly scholars from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

“Natutuwa talaga ako dahil alam po ninyo isa sa nangangailangan ng tulong sa atin ang ating Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Si Sen. Bam Aquino po isa sa mga ponente, pangunahing indibidwal na nakikipaglaban upang madagdagan ng tulong ang ating mga iskolar ng bayan dito sa lungsod ng Maynila (We are truly happy because, as you know, one of those in need of support is our Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Senator Bam Aquino is one of the proponents and among the key individuals fighting to increase assistance for our city scholars here in Manila),” Domagoso said.

Aquino helped secure a proposed P1.34-trillion education budget for 2026, the largest allocation for the sector in the country’s history.
The amount includes P67.9 billion intended for the construction of 25,000 classrooms nationwide to address the country’s estimated 166,000-classroom backlog.

Domagoso described the senator as a hardworking and intelligent public servant dedicated to improving the country’s education system.

Domagoso said Aquino is one of the Senate’s most capable lawmakers, praising him for his intelligence, dedication to education, and ability to work without political conflict.

The mayor also echoed Aquino’s call for public officials to set aside political differences and focus instead on addressing poverty and the needs of Filipinos, saying this is the kind of leadership he sees in the senator.

He added that elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, should work toward restoring public trust in government service, noting that many Filipinos want to see sincerity and genuine public service from their leaders.

Meanwhile, Aquino vowed to continue pushing for education reforms despite the recent Senate leadership changes that are expected to remove him as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and transfer him to the minority bloc.

He stressed that his commitment to education goes beyond position or title, saying it remains a promise he intends to uphold for every Filipino child dreaming of a better future.

Under Aquino’s leadership in the education committee, several education-related measures advanced in the Senate, including the proposed Establishing GIDA and Last Mile Schools Act and the Curriculum Flexibility Act, both awaiting the President’s signature.

He also spearheaded the passage on third and final reading of the Class-Building Acceleration Program Act and the Basic Education Voucher Program Act, while also sponsoring the proposed National Nutrition Program Act.

Overall, Aquino filed 12 education-related bills, authored and co-authored 22 measures, and sponsored and co-sponsored nine others. He also led 14 meetings, hearings, and events as co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education.