SEVERAL senators have proposed key amendments to the 2026 national budget, emphasizing the need to boost support for the education sector—considered one of the priority areas for this budget cycle.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto led the call for additional funding, seeking to increase the allocation for the Commission on Higher Education’s Medical Scholarship Program to ₱185 million.

The program funds the implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, which aims to produce more medical professionals for underserved communities.

Sotto also proposed a ₱6-million allocation for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the gymnasium at the Laguna State Polytechnic University – San Pablo Campus.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson pushed for the removal of the Tulong Dunong Program, recommending that its ₱2.728-billion budget be transferred to the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

Lacson said the adjustment is needed to address a funding gap affecting more than 2.3 million students.

He likewise proposed an additional ₱30 million to support the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance through its Governance Reform, Innovation and Transformation Collaboratory. The funding aims to enhance informed data analytics, evidence-based research, and capacity-building initiatives.

Senator Joel Villanueva, for his part, sought an additional ₱70 million for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The amount will be used to further strengthen the development and implementation of quality technical education and skills programs.

Villanueva said the increased TESDA allocation will also support ongoing digital transformation efforts, particularly in enhancing technology-driven training, assessment, and program development across the agency.