Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday, November 27, highlighted the proposed ₱1.38 trillion budget for education in 2026—set to become the largest in the nation’s history.
“For the first time, napakalaki ng budget para sa edukasyon… siguraduhin natin hanggang sa pinakadulong version nito, dapat nandiyan iyong pera para sa edukasyon,” Aquino said.
The proposal allocates ₱65 billion for new classrooms, ₱27 billion for the school feeding program, and funding for free college education benefiting more than five million students annually.
However, Aquino acknowledged that the figures remain tentative until the bicameral conference committee finalizes the budget and President Bongbong Marcos signs it into law.
“Sama-sama nating bantayan iyong bicam. For the first time, naka-livestream po ito,” he added.
Aquino, who championed the law on free college education and is widely known as an education advocate, returned to the Senate after winning in the 2025 midterm elections.