MANILA — Senator Bam Aquino welcomed the signing of the 2026 national budget into law, saying it will ensure adequate funding and proper implementation of key education programs for Filipino youth.

“Panalo ang kabataang Pilipino ngayong naaprubahan na ang 2026 national budget. Sa pamamagitan nito, mapopondohan na at maipatutupad nang tama ang mga mahahalagang programang makatutulong upang mapalakas at mapabuti ang sektor ng edukasyon,” Aquino said.

“May pondo na para sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan, dagdag na budget para sa school-based feeding program at libreng kolehiyo, at iba pang mahahalagang suporta para sa mga mag-aaral upang matiyak na mas maayos silang makakapag-aral,” he added.

Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, cited the P1.34-trillion education budget, described as the largest in the country’s history. Of the total amount, P68 billion is allocated for the construction of new classrooms, while P25.6 billion is set aside for the expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program.

The 2026 budget also earmarks P67 billion for the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Free College Law authored by Aquino.

It further adopts Aquino’s proposal to allocate P500 million under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Higher Education Development Program, specifically for financial support for Related Learning Experience requirements of students in allied health sciences programs.

Beneficiaries of the funding include students enrolled in allied health sciences courses such as Nursing, Medical Technology or Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Speech-Language Pathology, Human Biology or Pre-Med Allied Programs, Dentistry, Biochemistry, and Psychology.

In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the education budget also supports the creation of teaching and non-teaching plantilla positions in public schools, as well as the promotion or reclassification of teachers to help ensure quality learning.

Despite welcoming the budget, Aquino reiterated the need for vigilance in its implementation to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Sama-sama nating bantayan ang paggamit ng pondong ito, hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang sentimo, upang masigurong mapupunta ito sa edukasyon at hindi sa korapsyon,” he said.