Education Secretary Sonny Angara presented the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed PHP969.79 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 before the Senate on Friday, while appealing for a PHP147.93 billion supplemental fund to boost teacher support, learning recovery, school safety, and feeding programs.
Under the FY 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the proposed total budget for DepEd and its attached agencies stands at PHP969.79 billion.
Under the FY 2027 GAB, PHP12.09 billion is allocated for 135,063 personnel promotions through the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, PHP3.25 billion for personnel capacity building, and PHP350 million for 20,287 Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) tutors. Improving learning environments receives PHP13.49 billion for 3,854 new classrooms, PHP7.33 billion for repairs, PHP2.6 billion for ICT solutions, and PHP500 million for 1,667 security guards.
“We count on the Senate’s shared vision and support as we build on our progress and transform learning across every classroom in the country.”
System improvements cover PHP9.4 billion for Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D), PHP6.4 billion for textbooks and instructional materials, and PHP2.78 billion for Inclusive Education to expand support for Special Needs Education, Madrasah Education, Indigenous Peoples Education, Multigrade programs, Alternative Delivery Mode learning, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS). For learner support, PHP40.05 billion is allocated for 2.47 million voucher and subsidy grantees, PHP11.43 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, and PHP801.5 million for 1,800 School Counselor Associates and 221 Schools Division Office Counselors.
To address critical operational gaps and sustain high-impact educational reforms, Secretary Angara submitted an additional PHP147.93 billion request.
“Every peso we request for basic education translates directly into a better future for our young learners and stronger support for our teachers on the front lines. The additional ₱147.93 billion request is essential if we want to truly bridge learning gaps, equip every educator with the digital tools they deserve, and ensure that no child attends class on an empty stomach,” Angara said.
“We count on the Senate’s shared vision and support as we build on our progress and transform learning across every classroom in the country.”
The largest allocation under the supplemental request is for personnel improvement at PHP52.11 billion, which includes PHP33.54 billion for 74,033 new personnel positions, PHP13 billion for 267,155 laptops for teachers and staff, and PHP3.479 billion for teacher and non-teaching staff training programs.
DepEd also requested PHP41.06 billion to improve learning environments, which includes PHP23.45 billion for additional new classrooms and infrastructure repairs, PHP9.43 billion for textbooks and instructional materials, PHP8.18 billion for school safety and security, and PHP711 million for internet subscription renewals covering 14,261 schools.
To address critical operational gaps and sustain high-impact educational reforms, Secretary Angara submitted an additional PHP147.93 billion request.
To boost learner support and well-being, DepEd requested PHP35.92 billion, including PHP16.82 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, PHP3.56 billion for government assistance and subsidies, PHP1.39 billion for child protection and youth formation initiatives, and PHP1.5 billion for school health and sports.
To drive learning recovery, DepEd requested PHP15.68 billion to cover honoraria for teaching overload, tutor training, external tutor compensation, summer programs, and remediation consultations under the ARAL Program. DepEd also requested PHP2.33 billion for governance and innovation, and PHP833.8 million for Inclusive Education.
During the presentation, DepEd highlighted strong momentum in key initiatives. The School-Based Feeding Program expanded its beneficiary coverage from 3.4 million learners in SY 2025–2026 to 4.64 million learners in SY 2026–2027, marking a 36.49 percent increase, increased feeding days from 120 days to 200 feeding days, while School Division Offices providing hot meals grew from 50 to 171.
In School Year 2024–2025, the combined wasted and severely wasted rate dropped from 75.57% before feeding to 33.04% after feeding, or from 1.73 million to 680,000 wasted and severely wasted learners. In SY 2025–2026, it dropped from 47.54% before feeding to 22.35% after feeding or from 940,000 to 440,000 wasted and severely wasted learners.
On school safety initiatives under DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026 or Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), CCTV camera coverage reached 47.8 percent, metal detectors expanded to 51.1 percent, and perimeter fencing reached 79.61 percent across schools nationwide.
DepEd expressed its commitment to working closely with members of Congress to finalize a budget that responds effectively to the needs of Filipino learners and teachers.
