Senator Bam Aquino welcomed on Monday, 5 January, the signing of the 2026 national budget into law, saying it ensures that vital education programs, such as the construction of classrooms and the implementation of the school-based feeding program, will be adequately funded and properly implemented.

In a statement, Aquino said it is the Filipino students who are the winners now that the 2026 national budget has been approved.

"Through this, important programs that will help strengthen and improve the education sector will be funded and properly implemented," he continued.

"There are funds for the construction of classrooms, additional budget for the school-based feeding program and free college, and other important supports for students to ensure that they can study better," he added.

The P1.34-trillion education budget – the largest in the country’s history – allocates P68 billion for the construction of new classrooms and P25.6 billion for the expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program.

The budget also earmarks P67 billion for the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Free College Law.

In addition, it allocates P500 million under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Higher Education Development Program, specifically allotted for financial support for Related Learning Experience requirements of students in allied health sciences programs.

Students set to benefit from this funding include those in allied health sciences programs, such as Nursing, Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Speech-Language Pathology, Human Biology/Pre-Med Allied Programs, Dentistry, Biochemistry, and Psychology.

In his speech, Marcos said the education budget also supports the creation of teaching and non-teaching plantilla positions in public schools and promotion or reclassification of teachers to ensure quality learning.

However, Aquino reiterated his call for vigilance to ensure that the budget is implemented with full transparency so that every peso reaches its intended programs and benefits the students.

"Together, let's monitor the use of this fund, down to the last cent, to ensure that it goes to education and not to corruption," he added.