Major Allocations of the Historic ₱1.34-Trillion Education Budget for 2026

In a recent Facebook post, Senator Bam Aquino emphasized the urgent need to address what he described as the continuing crisis in Philippine education, citing the historic allocation for the sector under the proposed 2026 National Budget.

According to Senator Aquino, the 2026 National Budget earmarks ₱1.34 trillion for education, making it the largest education budget in the country’s history. He stressed that this significant investment signals a strong policy direction focused on strengthening the education system as a foundation for national development.

Among the major allocations highlighted in his post are the following:

• ₱67 billion for Free College Education, aimed at sustaining and expanding access to higher education for Filipino students;
• ₱65.9 billion for the construction of more than 25,000 classrooms, with projects set to begin in 2026 to address long-standing classroom shortages;
• ₱25.6 billion for an expanded School-Based Feeding Program, intended to improve student nutrition and learning readiness;
• ₱500 million in assistance for Related Learning Experience (RLE) requirements of students enrolled in allied health sciences programs.

Senator Aquino noted that these programs, along with other education-related initiatives, are scheduled to begin implementation in 2026. He underscored that prioritizing education is essential to the country’s long-term progress.