Senator Bam Aquino on Monday said the signing of the 2026 national budget guarantees funding for vital education programs, including classroom construction and the school-based feeding program.
The ₱6.793-trillion General Appropriations Act, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., allocates ₱1.34 trillion to education—the largest in Philippine history. This includes ₱68 billion for new classrooms, ₱25.6 billion for the feeding program, and ₱67 billion for the Free College Law.
“Panalo ang kabataang Pilipino ngayong naaprubahan na ang 2026 national budget. Sa pamamagitan nito, mapopondohan na at maipatutupad nang tama ang mga mahahalagang programang makatutulong upang mapalakas at mapabuti ang sektor ng edukasyon,” Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said.
DepDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted the allocation meets UNESCO’s benchmark of at least 4% of GDP for education for the first time.
Marcos emphasized that the budget sustains momentum in education reform, health protection, food security, social security, and job creation.
He added that the ₱1.34 trillion education budget will also support plantilla positions for teachers and staff, along with promotions and reclassifications.