DepEd seeks P147.9-B budget supplement

The Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking an additional P147.93 billion for 2027, including funds for 74,033 new personnel, teacher laptops, classroom construction and repairs, and expanded school feeding programs.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara presented the department’s proposed P969.79-billion budget before the Senate on Friday, along with the supplemental funding request to address operational gaps and support learning recovery.

The largest portion of the additional request, P52.11 billion, is earmarked for personnel improvements, including P33.54 billion for new positions, P13 billion for 267,155 laptops for teachers and staff, and P3.479 billion for personnel training.

Another P41.06 billion would fund classroom construction and repairs, textbooks, school security and internet access. The request includes P23.45 billion for infrastructure, P9.43 billion for learning materials, P8.18 billion for school safety and P711 million to renew internet subscriptions in 14,261 schools.

Feeding plan funds sought

DepEd is also seeking P35.92 billion for learner support, including P16.82 billion for school feeding and P3.56 billion for government assistance and subsidies.

The department wants another P15.68 billion for learning recovery under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program, covering tutor compensation and training, summer classes and remediation activities.

The remaining requests include P2.33 billion for governance and innovation and P833.8 million for inclusive education.

Under the proposed 2027 General Appropriations Bill, DepEd and its attached agencies would receive P969.79 billion. The allocation includes P12.09 billion for the promotion of 135,063 personnel under the Expanded Career Progression System, P13.49 billion for 3,854 classrooms and P7.33 billion for school repairs.