The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday welcomed the approval of its proposed PHP975.96-billion budget for 2027 by the House of Representatives.
In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara lauded lawmakers for backing the restoration or augmentation of critical programs not included in the original proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“We deeply appreciate the House of Representatives’ strong commitment to education and the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in advancing the country’s education agenda,” he said.
Budget sponsor Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora expressed support to supplement the budget following the agency’s earlier submission of a “wish list” for crucial programs.
“This support will help us protect learners, support teachers, accelerate learning recovery and improve learning outcomes across the country,” Angara said.
Critical programs that were not covered by the original 2027 NEP proposal include school security, mental health support, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, teacher hiring and career progression, and classroom construction.
The necessity to enhance security equipment and infrastructure in schools further gained urgency following the campus shooting in South Cotabato on Sept. 18.
“Schools must be sacred, safe spaces where parents feel confident sending their children every day. With these additional resources, we can establish the necessary physical safeguards and psychosocial support systems to ensure peace of mind across all our campuses,” Angara said.
The requested allocation boost for school safety, once granted, will be dedicated to hiring security personnel and procuring metal detectors and perimeter fences.
Additional funding is also aimed at sustaining gains in basic education recovery, particularly through the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.
During School Year 2025 to 2026, ARAL’s targeted interventions helped reduce the number of struggling readers nationwide to 2.2 million from 6.7 million.
Other programs under the requested budget boost include the expanded School-Based Feeding Program, recruitment and promotion of teachers and support staff, classroom construction and repairs, and specialized learning programs such as Special Needs Education, Madrasah, and Indigenous Peoples Education. (PNA)