FY 2026 Uniform/Clothing Allowance for DepEd Personnel

The release of the FY 2026 Uniform/Clothing Allowance is an important support measure for qualified Department of Education personnel as they prepare for the implementation of the prescribed national uniform for School Year 2026–2027. Under the prevailing rules, qualified civilian government personnel may be granted a Uniform/Clothing Allowance (U/CA) of up to ₱7,000 per year, subject to the General Appropriations Act and DBM Budget Circular No. 2024-1, which remains the current DBM circular governing the grant of the allowance.

For DepEd personnel, the policy is more specific. DepEd Memorandum No. 028, s. 2025 provides that only the approved DepEd national uniforms shall be used by all DepEd personnel and that the annual clothing and uniform allowance in the amount of ₱7,000 shall be released not earlier than the first working day of April of the current year, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and the release of the Notice of Cash Allocation from the Department of Budget and Management.

This guidance was reiterated in March 2026 through DM-OUHROD-2026-0693, as disseminated by DepEd field offices, which emphasized the strict wearing of the prescribed DepEd National Uniform for School Year 2026–2027 and announced the immediate release of the FY 2026 Clothing Allowance. The same issuance underscored that the transition period for the new DepEd uniform had already ended in School Year 2025–2026, meaning that beginning June 2026, classroom-based and office-based personnel are expected to wear the prescribed new uniform sets.

The memorandum also highlights compliance with Republic Act No. 9242, or the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law. In line with this, the use of sublimation-printed uniforms is prohibited, reinforcing the policy that government uniforms should, as far as practicable, use Philippine tropical fibers. This is consistent with DBM Budget Circular No. 2024-1, which likewise requires the use of Philippine tropical fibers whenever practicable.

As to entitlement, DBM Budget Circular No. 2024-1 continues to govern the basic rules on coverage, exclusions, and service requirements. In general, the allowance applies to qualified civilian government personnel, including those in regular, contractual, or casual positions, whether full-time or part-time, subject to the circular’s exclusions. The circular excludes military and certain uniformed personnel, foreign service personnel stationed abroad, barangay officials paid monthly honoraria, and non-employee arrangements such as job orders, contracts of service, consultants, and similarly situated workers funded from non-Personnel Services appropriations.

The circular also provides that, as a general rule, an employee must be in government service and expected to render at least six months of service within the fiscal year to qualify for the full grant, while part-time personnel receive the allowance on a proportional basis. Certain personnel required to wear uniforms at all times may be treated differently under the circular.

For FY 2026, the practical takeaway for DepEd personnel is clear: the ₱7,000 Clothing/Uniform Allowance is expected to be released not earlier than the first working day of April 2026, but actual payment remains subject to the release of funds, including the DBM Notice of Cash Allocation, as well as compliance with accounting and auditing rules. In other words, the April timing is the earliest allowable release point, not a guarantee that all personnel nationwide will receive it on exactly the same date.