DepEd 2026 Budget: Angara Pushes Major Education Boost

The DepEd 2026 budget proposal seeks to transform public education with a ₱928.52 billion allocation, equivalent to 4% of the country’s GDP. Presented to the Senate finance subcommittee, the plan directly addresses overcrowded classrooms, child hunger, resource gaps, and stalled teacher promotions.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that every peso must have a clear impact. “Malaki pa ang hamon na hinaharap natin sa sektor ng edukasyon, ngunit malinaw ang direksyon — bawat pondo ay para sa mga guro at mag-aaral,” he said, stressing that government and legislative support remain vital to achieving long-term reforms.

Key Allocations under the DepEd 2026 Budget

• More Classrooms: ₱13.2 billion will build nearly 4,900 new classrooms in 2026; through partnerships with the private sector and local governments, DepEd plans to deliver up to 40,000 more classrooms by 2028.
• Better Nutrition for Learners: ₱11.8 billion will sustain the School-Based Feeding Program, ensuring all Kindergarten children and malnourished pupils in Grades 1–6 receive proper meals.
• Digital Tools for Teachers: ₱16 billion will provide laptops for teachers and internet connectivity for schools still offline, helping close the digital divide.
• Career Growth for Teachers and School Leaders: A record ₱6 billion is set aside to support the promotion of about 113,000 teachers and school heads, reinforcing their livelihoods and leadership capacity.

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Comparing with DepEd’s 2025 Budget

• In 2025, DepEd (including its attached agencies) was allocated ₱793.740 billion, representing about a 3.99% increase over its 2024 appropriation.
• However, when the final General Appropriations Act (GAA) was enacted, DepEd’s actual approved budget dropped to around ₱737 billion because of reductions during bicameral conference, most notably cuts to the Computerization Program and basic education facilities funding
• The proposed DepEd 2026 budget (₱928.52 billion) would thus represent roughly an 18-20% increase over the final 2025 figure

Transparency, Accountability, and Public Trust

Angara and DepEd have emphasized that the DepEd 2026 budget includes mechanisms for transparency. Monthly public dashboards and open-government initiatives will enable the public, lawmakers, and civil society to track the number of classrooms built, the number of meals served, and the digital tools delivered. Such mechanisms aim to assure citizens that funds are properly used and intended outcomes are met.

The 2026 DepEd budget stands as a historic commitment to improving education in the Philippines. With a focus on infrastructure, nutrition, technology, and teacher development, it reassures Filipino families that progress is on the horizon.