The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines criticized the Philippines’ record-high national government debt of P19.07 trillion, saying teachers and workers continue to shoulder the impact of rising prices, low wages, and gaps in public services while billions of pesos are allegedly lost to corruption.

Citing data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), ACT said the country’s debt stock reached a new peak by the end of the first half of 2026, with the nearly P52-billion increase in one month representing what it called a failure of government priorities.

“While teachers and workers sink deeper into debt and struggle with soaring prices of basic goods, fuel and electricity, low wages and poor public services, those in power continue to indulge themselves at the public’s expense,” ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo said.

Earlier, BTr data showed national government debt at P18.49 trillion by end-March, driven by increased domestic borrowing and the impact of peso depreciation on foreign currency obligations.