MANILA - President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, officially approving the ₱6.793 trillion national budget.

The education sector secured the largest amount from the national budget, with an allocation exceeding one trillion pesos. This allocation aligns with the UNESCO benchmark for education spending, equivalent to the 4.4% Philippines’ GDP.

“The education sector has received the largest share of the national budget amounting to P1.35 trillion, equivalent to 4.4 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Particularly for DepEd, we will be allocated P1.015 trillion to ensure that quality education reaches every learner across the country,” based on the issued statement by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara

Sec. Angara stated that this is the first time the Philippines has reached this milestone.

“For the first time in Philippine history, the nation has allocated more than 4 percent of its GDP to education, to ensure that quality education is delivered to every Filipino learner.” Sen. Angara added.

The allocation plan for 2026

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara discloses the plans for addressing concerns and challenges in the sector this year.

For classrooms and school buildings, ₱85.3 billion will be allotted for 165,000 classroom backlogs, ₱65 billion for the construction of 24,964 additional classrooms, and ₱7.7 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of existing facilities.

Additional textbooks and learning materials are also included in the target, which will utilize ₱19.5 billion for the production.

Also, Sec. Angara stated that, aside from the improvements to physical infrastructure, all public schools must have access to digital tools and reliable internet connectivity. With this,  ₱10.6 billion will go to the DepEd Digital Computerization Program (DCP).

₱25.3 billion will be allocated for the Expanded School-Based Feeding Program to support students’ health conditions.

The department also plans to open more vacancies for teaching positions, school counselors, and administrative officers.

With reports from Jed Nerecina