The Senate’s version of the proposed 2026 national budget will allocate 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

For fiscal year 2026, the education sector will receive P1.38 trillion or 20% of the proposed P6.793 trillion budget. Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said this marks the first time that the Philippines will meet the United Nations benchmark of allotting at least 4 to 6% of GDP to education. 

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to receive P992.7 billion. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will get P48.2 billion, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) P25.3 billion, while State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will receive P140.3 billion. 

Notable budget increases under the Senate’s version of the national budget include an additional P3.3 billion for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, P18.08 billion for textbooks, P15.06 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, and P19.3 billion for 19,000 to 27,000 new classrooms, among others.

“Tiniyak natin na tutugunan ng 2026 national budget ang krisis sa edukasyon upang matupad ang pangarap natin na walang mag-aaral ang maiiwan,” Gatchalian said.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN