Manila: State universities and colleges (SUCs) in Northern Mindanao are hoping Congress will grant them a budget increase for 2026 to support key infrastructure and development projects. In a press briefing, Dr. Rolito Eballe, president of Central Mindanao University, emphasized the need for additional funding to support three major infrastructure projects at his campus that were not included in the National Expenditure Program of the Department of Budget and Management.

According to Philippines News Agency, Eballe, who also serves as the president of the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council for the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, highlighted that SUCs benefit from additional support through separate funding grants from other government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology. He mentioned that Mindanao State University - Naawan in Misamis Oriental, a member of the consortium, has received an allocation of at least PHP2 billion to enhance its connectivity infrastructure.

Mindanao SUCs are expected to participate in a series of budget hearings in Congress on September 23, 25, and 26 to advocate for their budget requests.