Senator Win Gatchalian assured that the 2026 national budget covers the rollout of free internet and school electrification for unenergized schools. 

Under the Senate’s committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget, P5 billion is allocated under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the implementation of the Free Public Internet Access Program. Gatchalian also proposed an amendment to a special provision, which will ensure that the free internet program will prioritize Department of Education (DepEd) schools and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). 

DepEd has likewise been allocated P1.5 billion to improve internet access in public schools, with around 12,000 schools still unconnected.

Meanwhile, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is allotted P3.6 billion specifically for the electrification of unenergized or off-grid schools where some 6,000 public schools remain without power.  

According to the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, these allocations are sufficient to meet at least half of the requirements for school electrification and internet connectivity.

“Hopefully in two years, wala na tayong problema with electrification and internet connectivity sa ating mga public schools,” said Gatchalian.