Where the 2026 DepEd budget Will Go: A Parent-Friendly Breakdown
The 2026 DepEd budget now stands at PhP1.044 trillion, and many parents want to know what this means for their children in public schools. The Senate approved this higher allocation to support Secretary Sonny Angara’s education reforms and expand programs that students feel every day. This update explains how schools will improve under the 2026 DepEd budget.
More Learning Materials for Students
Textbooks and Learning Resources
Parents can expect a major increase in textbooks after the fund rose from PhP11.16 billion to PhP29.29 billion. This gives DepEd enough resources to produce more than 79 million learning materials for students nationwide. Additionally, the budget allows the development of new titles and supplementary reading materials for early grades.
Support for Reading and Comprehension
Schools will receive updated materials that support literacy and comprehension. Teachers will use these tools to improve reading instruction and reduce reliance on photocopied or outdated content. Furthermore, the expanded supply helps ensure every child has access to the right books at the right time.
Better Nutrition and Health Support
School-Based Feeding Program
The School-Based Feeding Program experienced one of the largest jumps after rising from PhP11.77 billion to PhP28.66 billion. This increase allows DepEd to feed 4.49 million learners, including all Kinder and Grade 1 students. Moreover, it covers wasted and severely wasted Grade 2 to Grade 6 learners who need nutritional support the most.
Health and Well-being in Schools
Schools can now serve meals more consistently because of this larger budget. Teachers can monitor students’ nutritional progress more closely with the expanded program. Additionally, the improvement aims to reduce absenteeism and increase student attentiveness in class.
Safer and More Resilient Schools
Disaster Preparedness and Response
The Disaster Preparedness and Response Program increased from PhP665 million to PhP3.77 billion. With this amount, DepEd can operate more emergency centers, deploy additional micro weather stations, and conduct clearing operations in more than 4,227 schools. Furthermore, the allocation includes temporary learning spaces for disaster-affected communities.
Classroom Construction and Repairs
Infrastructure received the biggest boost under the 2026 DepEd budget, rising from PhP28.06 billion to PhP85.41 billion. DepEd plans to build 25,527 new classrooms and repair nearly 11,886 more, which will help reduce overcrowding. Additionally, the fund covers the completion of unfinished school buildings across the country.
More Teachers and a Stronger School Workforce
READ: DepEd 2026 Budget: Angara Pushes Major Education Boost
New Teaching and Support Positions
DepEd will open 323,916 new teaching items to reduce class sizes and improve learning time. The agency will also allocate 6,000 principal posts, 10,000 Administrative Officer II positions, and 5,000 Project Development Officer I items. Furthermore, these additions support smoother school operations nationwide.
Tools and Benefits for Educators
Teachers will receive expanded laptop provisions and increased funding for personnel benefits such as relocation allowances. This support helps educators perform tasks more efficiently and reduces workload stress. Additionally, these upgrades help improve school management and daily teaching performance.
Support for Learning Recovery and Special Programs
ARAL Program Rollout
The ARAL learning recovery program remains fully funded, which ensures support for 98,401 tutors. These tutors will help students catch up in reading, writing, and mathematics. Moreover, the continued rollout aims to address major learning losses from past disruptions.
Inclusive and Alternative Education
The Last Mile Schools Program now has PhP5.25 billion, which supports remote and hard-to-reach schools. Funding also increased for Indigenous Peoples Education at PhP154.44 million, Special Needs Education at PhP1.04 billion, and the Madrasah Education Program at PhP521.61 million. Additionally, the Electrification of Schools Program under NEA stands at PhP3.67 billion, while the Alternative Learning System received PhP897 million.
Moving Forward
The 2026 DepEd budget gives Filipino families a clearer picture of upcoming improvements across classrooms, feeding programs, safety systems, and teacher support. These investments aim to fix long-standing issues that impact the daily lives of millions of learners. Ultimately, parents can expect visible and meaningful changes as DepEd implements these reforms with transparency and accountability.
