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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ₱2.9B in 2026 budget meant for school-based mental health program — Gatchalian

₱2.9B in 2026 budget meant for school-based mental health program — Gatchalian

Published Jan 3, 2026 12:51 pm  |  Updated Jan 3, 2026 02:31 pm

At A Glance

  • The enrolled 2026 budget allocates ₱2.9 billion for school-based mental health programs and ₱85 billion for classroom construction, measures Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said will strengthen learner well-being and accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities nationwide.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Saturday, Jan. 3, that the enrolled 2026 budget measure has allotted ₱2.9 billion for the rollout of the School-Based Mental Health program as well as the creation of the Learner Wellness Division.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate PRIB photo)
The allocation is consistent with the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which Gatchalian authored.
The law mandates the development and strengthening of the School-Based Mental Health Program to promote the well-being of learners. The program shall manage the mental health concerns of all learners, including the prevention of suicides in schools.
“Kinikilala natin ang bigat at agarang pangangailangan na tugunan ang mga suliranin sa mental health ng mga kabataan. Kaya bahagi ng makasaysayang pondong inilaan natin para sa sektor ng edukasyon ang pagtaguyod sa mental health at kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral (We recognize the seriousness and urgent need to address the mental health challenges faced by the youth. That is why promoting the mental health and well-being of our students is part of the historic funding we have allocated to the education sector),” Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance said.
The law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) also seek the creation of a Learner Wellness Division under the Bureau of Learner Support Services. The division is tasked with setting annual targets for the law’s implementation, including establishing school mental health offices and care centers, and filling required plantilla positions.
On the other hand, he said that the budget measure will significantly accelerate classroom construction to address the persistent backlog in basic education facilities.
Under the enrolled 2026 budget measure, ₱85 billion is allotted for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms. Of this amount, ₱65.9 billion is allocated for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten to secondary school buildings, as well as technical-vocational laboratories.
“Hindi lamang tayo naglaan ng mas malaking pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng mga classrooms. Tiniyak din nating mapapabilis ito sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok ng iba’t ibang sektor (We did not only allocate a larger budget for the construction of classrooms. We also ensured that this would be fast-tracked through the active participation of various sectors),” Gatchalian said.
He pointed out that the 2026 national budget will give the Department of Education (DepEd) flexibility when it comes to the modalities for classroom construction, including public-private partnership.
To allow simultaneous constructions nationwide, the DepEd may enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), qualified local government units, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corp of Engineers.

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