Group urges Senate to restore education budget cuts

MANILA, Philippines — A national coalition has urged the Senate to restore funding cuts to essential education programs in the proposed 2027 national budget and increase investments in underserved communities.

In a statement on Wednesday, E-Net Coalition called for changes to the 2027 General Appropriations Bill following a Senate panel hearing with civil society organizations on Oct. 26.

The coalition said allocations for Special Needs Education (SNED), Indigenous Peoples Education and Madrasah Education remained below their 2026 levels despite increases in the House-approved budget.

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According to E-Net, at least P2.393 billion should be allocated for SNED to strengthen inclusive education services, operationalize Inclusive Learning Resource Centers, and provide accessible learning materials and support services.

It also proposed P5.555 billion for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and lifelong learning to expand access for out-of-school youth and adults, working learners, and underserved communities; and called for P5 billion in dedicated funding for Last Mile and GIDA Schools, alongside adequate support for Indigenous Peoples and Madrasah Education.

E-Net also sought P42.295 billion for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program, including expanded feeding support for two million additional learners. It proposed raising meal costs from P25 to P35 and extending feeding days from 180 to 220.

To address personnel shortages, the coalition called for 15,000 additional teaching positions, more school administrators and P4.8 billion for teaching overload compensation.

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It also called for full funding of teachers’ Magna Carta benefits, including P10 billion for Special Hardship Allowances, and P340 million for inclusive and disability-responsive teacher training, initially targeting 100,000 teachers. 

“The challenge is not simply to maintain a large education budget, but to ensure that every peso advances the right to education, especially for those historically underserved and left behind,” E-Net said.

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The coalition also urged senators to scrutinize questionable budget insertions, pork barrel allocations and discretionary funds, warning against diverting education funds to politically driven projects.

“The Senate must ensure that every budget realignment is transparent, needs-based, and directed toward programs that genuinely advance education equity,” it said. /dp