The Senate will prioritize classroom construction, expanded school feeding, campus security, and learning recovery in the proposed 2027 Department of Education (DepEd) budget, as lawmakers moved to address funding gaps and sustain gains in basic education.
During Friday’s budget hearing, Senator Bam Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said programs directly benefiting learners must take precedence over projects that can be deferred.
“Bago ang mga proyektong maaaring ipagpaliban, dapat unahin natin ang mga silid-aralan, kaligtasan sa paaralan, at mga programang direktang nakakatulong sa pagkatuto ng mga bata (Before projects that can be postponed, we must prioritize classrooms, school safety and programs that directly help children learn),” Aquino said.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara presented PHP147.93 billion in additional funding requests for DepEd proper, covering learning recovery, personnel development, school infrastructure, safety, and student welfare.
The House-approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB) allocates PHP969.79 billion for the DepEd and its attached agencies, PHP6.17 billion below the National Expenditure Program.
Feeding, classrooms
Aquino questioned the reduction in school feeding funds to PHP11.43 billion from around PHP25.7 billion this year, particularly as Congress prepares to expand universal feeding coverage to Kindergarten through Grade 3.
Angara said providing meals worth PHP30 for 200 school days under an expanded program would require an additional PHP46.6 billion.
The DepEd reported that an evaluation of its feeding program showed the number of wasted and severely wasted learners declining from 1.73 million before feeding to around 680,000 afterward.
On classroom construction, Angara said about 97 to 98 percent of projects funded under the record 2026 infrastructure allocation had identified locations, although only about 60 percent of new construction funds had been obligated and 37 percent disbursed.
He expressed confidence that most projects could be completed by the end of 2027, with a detailed implementation timetable to follow.
The 2027 House budget provides PHP13.49 billion for 3,854 new classrooms at an estimated PHP3.5 million each, compared with the original target of 6,587 classrooms at PHP2.5 million per unit.
Another PHP7.33 billion is allocated for repairing 11,140 classrooms.
Safer, better-equipped schools
Following recent school violence incidents, the DepEd identified PHP8.18 billion in additional requirements for school security, including PHP4.55 billion for 15,155 guards, PHP2.13 billion for metal detectors and scanners, and PHP1.5 billion for perimeter fences.
The House version currently provides PHP500 million for 1,667 additional security guards.
Senator Erwin Tulfo highlighted the need for safer classrooms and greater access to computers, particularly in remote communities.
“Our children should never have to worry about their safety while pursuing their education,” Tulfo said.
The DepEd also requested PHP13 billion for 267,155 laptops for teachers and personnel and PHP711 million for internet subscription renewals in 14,261 schools.
Angara disclosed that the proposed Education Center for artificial intelligence research remains unfunded, while the House version reduced allocations for information and communications technology.
Learning gains, teacher support
Senate President Win Gatchalian underscored the importance of sustaining the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, which he said has helped around 1.3 million learners improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
The House budget includes PHP350 million for ARAL tutors, while the DepEd identified PHP15.68 billion in additional learning recovery requirements.
Other 2027 budget highlights include PHP12.09 billion for the promotion of 135,063 education personnel, PHP6.4 billion for textbooks and instructional materials, PHP2.78 billion for inclusive education, and PHP801.5 million for school counselor personnel.
The DepEd also proposed PHP40.05 billion for vouchers and subsidies benefiting approximately 2.47 million learners.
Meanwhile, several attached agencies face reductions in their 2026 allocations, including the National Academy of Sports, Philippine High School for the Arts, and Teacher Education Council.
Funding, implementation
Angara reported that the DepEd had obligated PHP548.87 billion, or 54.36 percent of its PHP1.01-trillion adjusted 2026 allotment, as of Sept. 15, with disbursements reaching PHP500.59 billion, equivalent to 91.2 percent of obligations.
Senate Committee on Finance chair Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said the chamber would examine funding reductions affecting computerization, educational facilities, teacher development, and foreign-assisted projects to determine which allocations need to be restored.
Aquino reiterated the Senate’s goal of bringing overall education spending to at least 4 percent of gross domestic product, adding that the historic investments made this year must translate to measurable improvements in learning.
Gatchalian said it is also important to sustain education gains, particularly following the Philippines’ improved performance in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment.
The senators maintained that the 2027 budget must balance continued reforms with the government’s capacity to deliver classrooms, learning materials, nutrition and other essential services to Filipino students. (PNA)
