The Department of Education (DepEd) and its attached agencies are proposing a ₱975.96-billion budget for 207, according to a presentation by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara during a budget hearing.

The proposed allocation remains the largest budget among all government agencies for 2027.

However, according to the Secretary, this is ₱38.35 billion, or 3.88%, lower than its ₱1.015-trillion budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. But it is higher when compared to the ₱928.52 billion in the 2026 National Expenditure Program.

The department highlighted key concerns, including funds for teachers and personnel, classroom construction and repairs, and learning materials.

Under the proposal, ₱17.311 billion is allocated for the construction of 4,945 new classrooms, while ₱7.33 billion is for the repairs of 11,140 classrooms.

Additionally, ₱12.9 billion is allocated to fund the career progression of 135,000 DepEd personnel, while ₱2.4 billion will be used for laptops for 50,337 teachers.

DepEd will also allocate ₱11.43 billion to fund hot meals for kindergarten pupils and undernourished learners and ₱38.12 billion for vouchers and subsidies.

The budget covers programs aimed at enhancing student competencies, strengthening educational quality, addressing basic facility requirements, improving infrastructure, professional growth for educators, improving learners’ nutrition, and expanding access to quality education across the country.

With reports from Mia Alonzo