The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday lauded the Marcos administration’s “historic” proposed budget allocation for the education sector.

This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earmarked PHP1.224 trillion for education under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the proposed allocation marks a historic first as it complies with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) standards, securing 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mahal na Pangulo dahil, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, compliant sa UNESCO standards ang budget ng edukasyon (We thank our beloved President because, for the first time, the proposed education budget is compliant with UNESCO standards),” he said.

Of the proposed fund for next year, the largest share is allocated to DepEd, amounting to PHP928.52 billion, which is 18.9 percent higher than the department’s budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The proposed 2026 NEP allocates PHP115.4 billion for school operations support, the Senior High School Voucher Program, and the School-Based Feeding Program, among others.

To address the perennial classroom shortage, PHP41.6 billion will be allotted for the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of classrooms, and programs under the Basic Education Facilities Fund.

For additional manpower to ease teachers’ workload, PHP15.4 billion is proposed for the creation of plantilla posts, including Project Development Officers and Administrative Officers.

The proposed funding for the computerization program is PHP13.8 billion.

The remaining allocations for DepEd’s attached agencies are PHP840.9 million for the National Museum of the Philippines, PHP251.1 million for the National Academy of Sports, PHP207.5 million for the Teacher Education Council, PHP160.7 million for the Philippine High School for the Arts, PHP156.6 million for the National Book Development Board, and PHP72.6 million for the National Council for Children’s Television.

Apart from DepEd, the proposed budget also allocates PHP134.99 billion for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), PHP34 billion for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and PHP20.24 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“These allocations reflect the Marcos administration’s strong investment in education,” Angara said. “This landmark move is not only an investment in education – it is an investment in the future of our learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality of education possible.” (PNA)