The 2026 national budget is a major victory for education and the Filipino youth, with a record P1.35 trillion allocated to the sector—the largest education budget in Philippine history, Senator Bam Aquino said.
Aquino, who voted for the ratification of the budget, said the historic funding will provide concrete support for students through more classrooms, expanded school feeding, higher funding for free college, and increased financial aid for nursing and health science students.
The education budget, up from about P1 trillion in 2025, includes P67 billion for the Free College Law (Republic Act No. 10931), which Aquino authored, including added funds for the Tertiary Education Subsidy for underprivileged students.
It also earmarks P68 billion for classroom construction and P25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, both significantly higher than previous allocations.
Aquino welcomed the inclusion of his proposal for P500 million in financial support for RLE requirements of allied health sciences students.
“Sama-sama nating siguruhin na ang pondo ay mapupunta sa edukasyon—hindi sa korapsyon,” he concluded.IMT
