Manila: Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced that the 2026 national budget signifies a historic milestone for Philippine education, featuring substantial increases to finance nationwide tutoring, an extensive classroom construction initiative, and the recruitment of more teachers. This comes alongside the approval of the largest promotion program in the sector's history.
According to Philippines News Agency, Angara expressed his approval of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), emphasizing that the education sector not only received the largest allocation but also achieved global standards for the first time. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the PHP6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on Monday, with education receiving a record-high PHP1.345-trillion allocation.
Angara described the budget as "historic," highlighting the 30 percent increase over the previous year. He noted that education spending now aligns with UNESCO's recommended 4 percent to 6 percent of the gross domestic product. The education chief called the funding scale "the biggest increase" he has witnessed in his political career, underscoring the budget's focus on learning recovery and addressing persistent gaps in basic education.
A significant increase is seen in the school feeding program, which rose from PHP3 billion in 2022 to over PHP25 billion in 2026. Angara also pointed out the newly funded Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, which will receive PHP9 billion for the first time. This funding aims to provide tutors in every school to help students recover from years of learning loss in reading and math.
The budget also allocates resources to construct approximately 24,000 classrooms to tackle the country's longstanding classroom shortage. Angara acknowledged that not all classrooms will be completed within a year due to logistical and funding constraints, with some projects expected to take two to three years.
To enhance efficiency and prevent delays, the Department of Education (DepEd) will diversify its approach to school construction. For the first time, the GAA permits DepEd, local government units (LGUs), and qualified civil society organizations to participate in classroom projects, reducing reliance on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Angara mentioned potential partnerships with up to 80 provinces, 160 cities, and several municipalities, as well as organizations with proven expertise in school construction, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas.
In addition to infrastructure, the 2026 budget provides significant advancements for teachers, including the creation of around 65,000 new plantilla positions to address nationwide teacher shortages. Continuous hiring efforts have already reduced staffing gaps, and the new positions will further strengthen schools as enrollment increases and learning recovery initiatives expand.
Angara also highlighted the expansion of promotions under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system, marking a significant progression for the teaching profession.
