MANILA – Tingog Party-List Rep. Jude Acidre, chair of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education welcomed the proposed PHP1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in 2026, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing education in national development.

“Through EDCOM II – under the leadership of Executive Director Karol Mark Yee and with the collective work of our commissioners – we have consistently underscored the urgency of addressing learning recovery, improving sector governance, upgrading facilities, and strengthening support for teachers and school leaders,” Acidre said.

The proposed budget, equivalent to about 4.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, will provide the Department of Education (DepEd) with the largest share to fund programs such as Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL), classroom construction and rehabilitation, school-based feeding, teacher hiring, and modernization of basic education. Acidre noted that these programs are aligned with EDCOM II recommendations and Congress’s long-term direction.

“A budget of this scale calls for careful stewardship. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that these resources are used efficiently, that coordination among agencies remains strong, and that every investment contributes to real improvements in learning outcomes,” he added.

For higher education and technical-vocational training, the proposed allocation supports initiatives under the committee’s Higher Education Legislative Agenda, including modernizing the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), expanding student access and retention, advancing digital transformation, institutionalizing micro-credentials and lifelong learning, strengthening quality assurance, and deepening industry partnerships.

“This PHP1.38 trillion budget is more than a figure in the General Appropriations Bill. It is a statement of national resolve. It affirms our shared belief that education is the strongest foundation for inclusive growth and the most important investment we can make in our people,” Acidre said.(PNA)