The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines will receive the largest education budget in the country’s history. Education Secretary Sonny Angara says this is a strong sign of support for the important reforms happening in the education system.
The Senate approved a PHP1.044 trillion budget for DepEd in 2026. This amount is PHP77 billion more than what the House of Representatives first approved. The new budget must still be signed into law, but leaders say it will help improve education in many ways.
Secretary Angara said that the bigger budget is a “vote of confidence” from lawmakers and the Filipino people. He added that the DepEd will use the money with transparency, urgency, and integrity. This means the funds should be spent fairly, quickly, and carefully to help students and teachers.
What the Increased Budget Means for Schools
The 2026 budget includes more money for many key programs. The goal is to raise the quality of learning and make schools safer, stronger, and better prepared for the future.
Here are the major areas that will receive more funds:
1. Textbooks and Learning Materials
The budget for textbooks and learning tools was more than doubled:
- From PHP11.16 billion to PHP29.29 billion
- This will produce over 79 million learning materials
- Support will expand especially for early grade reading resources
This means students from Kinder to Grade 6 will have better books and learning tools to help them study.
2. School-Based Feeding Program
Children need good food to learn well. The feeding program will now receive PHP28.66 billion to help nourish students.
- It will serve 4.49 million learners
- This includes Kinder to Grade 1 students
- Also supports Grades 2 to 6 students who are severely wasted
Good nutrition helps students stay healthy, concentrate in class, and perform better in school
3. Disaster Response and School Safety
The Philippines often faces storms and earthquakes. The budget for school safety and disaster response increased from PHP665 million to PHP3.77 billion.
Money will be used for:
- Emergency operations centers
- More micro weather stations
- Temporary learning spaces
- Clean-up operations for damaged schools
This means schools can respond faster and better to emergencies, keeping students and teachers safe.
4. School Infrastructure — Classrooms and Facilities
One of the biggest improvements is the funding for school buildings. The budget for infrastructure grew from PHP28.06 billion to PHP85.41 billion.
This money will help build and fix classrooms:
- 25,527 new classrooms will be constructed
- 11,886 classrooms will be repaired
This will help reduce crowded classrooms and give students a better place to learn.
5. Teachers and School Staff Support
The budget also includes funds to hire more teachers and staff and give them better benefits:
- 323,916 new teaching positions
- 6,000 school principal items
- 10,000 Administrative Officer II positions
- 5,000 Project Development Officer I posts
These jobs mean more support for schools and better learning for students.
Other Powerful Programs with Bigger Budgets
In addition to the major programs above, other important areas received more funding:
- Last Mile Schools Program — helps schools in far and remote areas
- Human Resource Development — trains teachers and staff
- Alternative Learning System — helps learners who cannot attend regular school
- Electrification of Schools — brings electricity to areas without power
- Indigenous Peoples Education — supports culture-based learning
- Special Needs Education — assists learners with disabilities
- Madrasah Education Program — strengthens Muslim education
These programs aim to make education fair for all learners in the country.
Angara’s Message to the Public
Secretary Angara said the larger education budget gives DepEd the space to fix what needs fixing. He believes this budget reflects trust from Congress and the people of the Philippines. Angara said DepEd will do its best to deliver results that meet expectations.
He stressed that every additional peso is a sign that Filipinos want positive changes in education. The reforms are meant to improve student learning, provide better tools, and prepare learners for the future.
Why This Matters
This new budget shows the Philippines’ strong commitment to education.
- More materials mean better student learning
- Better nutrition leads to healthier children
- Strong disaster response keeps schools safe
- More classrooms help reduce overcrowding
- Better support for teachers improves teaching
All of these changes aim to help Filipino students succeed.
Key Takeaways
✅ The DepEd will receive the highest education budget ever in Philippine history
✅ This budget supports major education reforms
✅ Increased funds go to books, feeding, safety, buildings, and staff support
✅ Important programs for remote, special needs, and alternative learning were funded
✅ DepEd leaders promise to use the money responsibly and effectively
