Ched Rick Gatchalian

Pupils listen to a teacher during a journalism class at the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila on May 24, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

 

Article (news)

Biz groups back proposed P1.38-T educ budget

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764234815210journ.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pupils listen to a teacher during a journalism class at the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila on May 24, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em> </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Several business and education groups expressed support to the proposed P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 budget, reaffirming their confidence in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) leadership.</p><p>In a joint statement, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), and the Association of Foundations backed the proposed 2026 budget for DepEd.</p><p>The agency&#x27;s budget in the Senate version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill is at P1.044 trillion. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/23/education-allocation-in-proposed-budget-falls-short-of-unesco-standard-business-group-1214"><strong>Education allocation in proposed budget &#x27;falls short of UNESCO standard&#x27; — business group</strong></a></div><p>The biz groups see this funding as a move &quot;closer to global benchmarks for education spending&quot; because it recognizes that education is a &quot;long-term economic strategy&quot; essential for a country&#x27;s sustained competitiveness.</p><p>They also reiterated their support for Education Secretary Sonny Angara&#x27;s leadership and for the department and its &quot;commitment to transparency, data-driven policymaking, and collaboration provides the stability needed to advance key reforms.&quot;</p><p>The groups noted, however, the increased funding should be paired with &quot;a more accountable and participative&quot; budgeting process to maintain stakeholder&#x27;s trust.</p><p>&quot;We urge greater transparency, especially in the bicameral conference committee where final budget allocations are decided,&quot; the joint statement read.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/15/marcos-jr-wants-livestreamed-bicam-deliberations-for-2026-budget-1737"><strong>Marcos Jr. wants livestreamed bicam deliberations for 2026 budget; says no reason yet to veto</strong></a></div><p>They also added that DepEd must ensure clear policy targets, measurable indicators, and strong monitoring and evaluation systems since increased funding alone will not translate to a better education system.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>EDUC SECTOR&#x27;S INTERNAL REFORMS</strong></div><p>In a release, DepEd expressed gratitude to the groups for their support and assured them the additional funding will be utilized with transparency and discipline.</p><p>It mentioned the launch of the DepEd Open Data (Project Bukas) initiative, reforms in procuring flexible classrooms, and the shift to &quot;evidence-based policy designed.&quot;</p><p>“The direction set by President Marcos to invest strongly in human capital provides us with the foundation to push reforms that matter,” Angara said. </p><p>“Our commitment is to ensure that every peso is used effectively and that learners, teachers, and parents feel the impact in their classrooms and communities,&quot; he added.</p><p>Finance Committee chairman Sen. Sherwin &quot;Win&quot; Gatchalian earlier said the bicameral conference committee is seen to be held <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/11/26/senate-on-track-with-budget-proceedings-second-reading-on-december-3-gatchalian-1915">by the second week of December.</a></p><p>Gatchalian stressed they are eyeing a government facility in Intramuros for the venue. He added that preparations for the bicam livestreaming are underway.</p><p>Earlier this year, PBEd called out the initial P1.178 trillion allocated for education under the 2026 NEP, saying it falls short of the UNESCO standard of at least four to six percent.</p><p>The group also cited the Second Congressional Commission (EDCOM II) on Education’s Year Two report which mentioned that the Philippines &quot;still fails to keep pace with global standards&quot; since the current spending for education is only around 3.2% of the country&#x27;s GDP.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/15/wrap-cuts-to-deped-philhealth-as-2025-budget-bill-nears-finish-line-2124"><strong>WRAP: Cuts to DepEd, PhilHealth as 2025 budget bill nears finish line</strong></a></div>

<p>Several business and education groups expressed support to the proposed P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 budget, reaffirming their confidence in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) leadership.</p>

Several business and education groups expressed support to the proposed P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 budget, reaffirming their confidence in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) leadership.

Business groups back education budget, Angara leadership

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

Business groups back education budget, Angara leadership

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 27, 2025 06:40 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 27, 2025 06:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Education

2026 Budget

Department of Education

DepEd

Bicam

Business groups

General Appropriations Bill 2026

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.