The Department of Education is requesting a budget of P976 billion for next year under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, taking up 13.55% of the Marcos administration’s proposed P7.2-trillion national spending plan. According to the Department of Budget and Management, this allocation represents the largest portion of the national budget, fulfilling constitutional mandates to prioritize the education sector.
Breakdown of Proposed Allocations for Basic and Higher Education
The proposed P976 billion education allocation consists of P973.4 billion for the Office of the Secretary and over P2.5 billion for attached agencies. Separate from the basic education budget, the government is seeking P176.5 billion for higher education—covering the Commission on Higher Education and state universities and colleges—along with P21.2 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, according to official expenditure data.
Several specific programs drive the Department of Education spending plan. The agency earmarked P38.12 billion for government assistance and subsidies, which includes the Educational Service Contracting Program, Senior High School Voucher Program, and Joint Delivery Voucher Program. Additional funding targets P31.74 billion for new school personnel positions, P30.55 billion for the Basic Education Facilities Fund, P11.43 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, P6.47 billion for textbooks and instructional materials, P5.79 billion for the computerization program, and P5.36 billion for inclusive education.
Did You Know? The proposed 2027 education budget marks an increase of approximately 5% compared to the level outlined in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, though the department received over P1 trillion under that year’s General Appropriations Act following the realignment of scrapped flood control project funds.
Budget Deliberations and Congressional Scrutiny
Lawmakers will begin reviewing the spending plan during House appropriations committee hearings scheduled to start on September 7. Congressional deliberations will ultimately determine the actual budget figures, with legislators expected to examine classroom construction strategies, school safety measures, and teacher compensation policies.
Lawmakers may scrutinize classroom construction progress following partnership initiatives with local government units and the private sector designed to reduce reliance on the public works department. School safety will also be addressed in the wake of the June 22 school shooting in Tacloban City and other recent incidents of student violence. Education Secretary Sonny Angara previously indicated that the agency intends to request additional funds for security guards and metal detectors to secure campuses.
Expert Insight: Budget watchdogs will closely monitor whether the Marcos administration meets UNESCO’s benchmark of allocating at least 4% of the country’s gross domestic product to education. Meanwhile, lawmakers face mounting pressure to clarify how public school teachers will be compensated under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program regardless of their regular teaching loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total proposed national budget for 2027?
The Marcos administration is seeking a P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, according to the National Expenditure Program.
How much is allocated specifically for the Department of Education?
The Department of Education is requesting P976 billion, representing 13.55% of the total national spending plan.
When will congressional budget hearings begin for the department?
The House appropriations committee is expected to hold its budget deliberations for the Department of Education on September 7.
? How will lawmakers ensure that the proposed budget allocations deliver concrete results for the public during the upcoming congressional deliberations?
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