Saan Napunta ang ₱1.3 Trillion? Gatchalian Launches Senate Deep-Dive Into Education Budget

Senator Win Gatchalian is putting the education sector's spending under a microscope as the Senate Finance Committee kicks off its review of how the 2026 national budget is being implemented. And with a historic ₱1.3 trillion allocated to education — the biggest ever — the stakes couldn't be higher.

The move follows the filing of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 299, which calls for an inquiry into the plans and programs of various government agencies tasked with implementing the 2026 General Appropriations Act. Education, being the single largest recipient of government funds, is naturally the first sector to face scrutiny.

The ₱1.3 trillion allocation is significant not just for its size but for what it represents — it's equivalent to 4.4 percent of GDP, making it the first Philippine budget to meet the UNESCO benchmark of dedicating 4 to 6 percent of GDP to education. That's a milestone that previous administrations have struggled to achieve for decades.

"Following our historic allocation of funds for the education sector, we will also review the plans of various agencies to ensure that our students and teachers will benefit from it," Gatchalian said. As chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has the authority to summon agency heads and demand answers on how every peso is being spent.

The senator emphasized that a big budget means nothing if it doesn't translate to better outcomes in the classroom. With the Philippines still grappling with learning poverty — worsened by pandemic-era school closures — the pressure is on for DepEd, CHED, and TESDA to show that the money is actually reaching students and teachers where it matters most. Abangan ang resulta ng inquiry.

Source: The Manila Times