MANILA: The education sector has emerged as the top beneficiary in the 2025 Philippine national budget, receiving a significant allocation of PHP1.055 trillion after cuts were made to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the budget into law, implementing vetoes that reduced the overall budget from PHP6.352 trillion to PHP6.326 trillion.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos vetoed PHP194 billion in line items, which included PHP26.065 billion from DPWH projects and PHP168.240 billion from unprogrammed appropriations. These adjustments have allowed the education sector to claim the highest allocation, distributed across various educational institutions and programs including the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, among others. The DPWH now holds a budget of PHP1.007 trillion.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto highlighted that this is the first instance where both education and infrastructure budgets have surpassed the trillion-peso mark, suggesting a positive impact on the country's economic growth in 2025. Other significant allocations include the Department of National Defense with PHP315.1 billion and the Department of the Interior and Local Government with PHP279.1 billion.

Despite the increased allocation to education, there are concerns about budget cuts within the DepEd, particularly in its Computerization Program, which saw a reduction of PHP10 billion. The administration aims to address these cuts using unprogrammed appropriations and potential excess revenues to fulfill the President's commitment to prioritizing educational spending. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Finance Secretary Recto both indicated that additional funding could be made available should the Department of Finance secure extra revenue.