EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara presented the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed ₱975.96 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 before the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, while appealing for an additional ₱145.19 billion to fund critical, unbudgeted programs.
While the National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocation safeguards core operations, Angara urged lawmakers to address funding gaps targeting learning recovery, personnel hiring, and enhanced school security.
Under the 2027 NEP proposal, Personnel Services increased by 8.64 percent to ₱766.74 billion to cover teacher salaries and promotions under the Expanded Career Progression system.
Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses dropped to ₱174.32 billion, while Capital Outlay fell to ₱32.34 billion.
The remaining ₱2.56 billion will be split among six attached agencies, including the National Museum of the Philippines.
Key funded allocations include ₱17.31 billion for 4,900 new classrooms, ₱11.43 billion for school feeding programs, and ₱38.12 billion for private education vouchers.
However, Angara pointed out that several vital initiatives were left unfunded under the NEP, prompting DepEd’s request for ₱145.19 billion in supplemental funds, alongside ₱1.74 billion for its attached agencies.
A primary concern is the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, which received zero funding under the proposed 2027 NEP despite reducing the number of struggling readers from 6.7 million to 2.2 million during School Year 2025–2026.
Angara requested ₱15.98 billion to sustain the ARAL initiative, covering tutor compensation, learning resources, and remediation efforts.
The supplemental request also seeks ₱49.16 billion to hire 14,274 new teachers and nearly 59,000 non-teaching personnel, alongside funds for laptops and teacher benefits.
Furthermore, DepEd requested ₱37.75 billion for additional classroom construction and school safety measures—including ₱8.68 billion for security guards, metal detectors, and perimeter fences—and ₱40.33 billion to expand learner feeding and health services.
Angara emphasized that securing these additional funds is essential to maintaining momentum, accelerating education reforms, and driving long-term learning outcomes for Filipino students nationwide.