Education gets P1.38-T budget

The proposed P6.79-trillion national budget for 2026 is considered sound and socially responsive, with several sectors receiving their largest allocations in years.

The education sector will receive 12 percent of the national budget, or P1.38 trillion — its largest share in the country’s history. This marks an increase from the originally proposed P1.224 trillion in the National Expenditure Program, with P56.6 billion realigned by the House of Representatives during its deliberations.

The defense sector also received its highest allocation on record at P385.97 billion.

Health-related programs saw boosts as well, with funding for the Zero Balance Billing Program rising from P53.3 billion under the NEP to P62.6 billion in the Senate’s version.

Social services allocations include P101.8 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, an additional P8.2 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, and expanded Supplementary Feeding Programs to benefit more than 1.8 million children under age five.

For overseas Filipino workers, the Aksyon Fund under the Department of Migrant Workers was doubled to P2.4 billion from the P1.2 billion approved by Congress. The agriculture sector will receive an extra P500 million to establish food hubs and enable farmers to sell directly to consumers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget was reduced by P55.91 billion, from P624.48 billion under the House-approved General Appropriations Bill to P568.56 billion in the Senate’s version, following the identification of red flags in flood control projects.

Officials emphasized that the government remains committed to restoring leadership, accountability, and transparency in public spending following the recent corruption issues.