The Department of Education (DepEd) thanked the House of Representatives for approving the additional fund for the primary programs of the agency lined up under the education agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the plenary deliberations of the 2026 national budget.
Through the leadership of Speaker Bojie Dy III and the Budget Amendments Review Sub-Committee ng Committee on Appropriations headed by Rep. Mikaela Suansing, the lower chamber fulfilled the budget wishlist of DepEd and approved several key amendments that will strengthen the agency’s ability to carry out PBBM’s directive to provide safe, quality, and inclusive education.
“Pasalamat tayo sa Kongreso na dinagdagan nila ang budget para sa edukasyon.”
“Pasalamat tayo sa Kongreso na dinagdagan nila ang budget para sa edukasyon. Malaking bagay ‘yung dagdag na classrooms, upuan, at feeding program para mas gumaan ang sitwasyon sa mga paaralan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angata said.
Lawmakers pushed for the additional funds to decrease the backlog of classrooms and to purchase needed facilities and furniture for schools.
Another major amendment is the additional ₱22.5 billion budget for Basic Education Facilities to fastrack the construction, completion and rehabilitation of classrooms, including the purchase of chairs and other school furniture.
“Pero ang pinakamahalaga, maipatupad agad nang maayos para makahabol tayo sa mga naantalang proyekto at maramdaman agad ang resulta ng mga mag-aaral at guro.”
“Pero ang pinakamahalaga, maipatupad agad nang maayos para makahabol tayo sa mga naantalang proyekto at maramdaman agad ang resulta ng mga mag-aaral at guro,” Angara added.
The House also supported the expansion of DepEd’s classroom construction, including collaboration with local government units and public-private partnerships.
Also approved during the budget deliberation are the ₱306-million Flexible Learning Program and Alternative Learning System, the ₱193-million Special Needs Education Program, ₱79.6-million Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) Program, and the ₱26.25-million Madrasah Education Program.
Legislators also supported the ARAL Program, DepEd’s learning recovery strategy where they approved the ₱579.5 million fund for the overload pay of DepEd teachers and ₱984 million for the compensation of non-DepEd tutors.
Meanwhile, the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) received an additional ₱1.88 billion, to be added to the ₱11.8 billion already in the NEP. This ensures that millions of students continue to receive nutritious school meals—a key factor in improving their learning and health.
Angara thanked the House and gave assurance that DepEd will work with Congress, DPWH, LGUs, and other partners to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of its projects.
