ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday warned that the Senate version of the proposed 2026 national budget threatens teachers, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and other education workers, after billions of pesos were allegedly cut from government employees’ benefits to fund what he called a ₱17.9-billion “LGU pork” allocation.

Tinio said the Senate slashed the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) by ₱55 billion—from ₱111.5 billion proposed by Malacañang and retained by the House, down to ₱56.5 billion—undermining funds meant for performance bonuses, staffing upgrades, and the filling of vacant positions across government, including public schools and SUCs.

“These cuts directly hit teachers and education workers who are already overworked, underpaid, and facing chronic staff shortages,” Tinio said.

“Funds meant to improve conditions in our classrooms and campuses are being diverted to discretionary funds controlled by local officials,” he added.

Tinio, a former teacher and education activist, stressed that the reductions will worsen the precarious situation of thousands of instructors in SUCs, where the majority of faculty remain on Job Order and Contract of Service arrangements.

“By slashing ₱15.8 billion from staffing modifications and ₱2 billion from funds to fill unfilled positions, the Senate is effectively freezing the regularization of contractual teachers,” he said. “This budget denies educators the security of tenure and dignity they deserve.”

He also warned that a ₱13.5-billion cut to the Performance-Based Bonus pool would further demoralize teachers and non-teaching staff grappling with rising prices and stagnant wages.

“These bonuses are not luxuries. For many teachers, they help cover basic needs, classroom expenses, and the cost of living amid inflation,” Tinio added.

The lawmaker contrasted these cuts with what he described as a massive expansion of discretionary allocations to local government units. He said the Senate nearly doubled the Local Government Support Fund to ₱38.1 billion, including large increases for funds that allow local officials to distribute assistance—including educational aid—with wide discretion.

“While schools lack teachers and SUCs cannot regularize faculty, the Senate found billions for local patronage,” Tinio said. “This is a clear case of robbing education workers to feed political machinery.”

Tinio called on the bicameral conference committee to reverse the Senate amendments, scrap the expanded LGU discretionary funds, and restore the MPBF to its original level under the National Expenditure Program.

“We must prioritize education,” he said. “That means funding the regularization of contractual teachers, filling vacant plantilla positions in schools and SUCs, and increasing allowances such as the long-overdue Personnel Economic Relief Allowance. Our students cannot learn well if our teachers are treated as disposable.”

He also urged teachers and other government employees to oppose the proposed cuts, warning that the outcome of the 2026 budget would have long-term consequences for the quality of public education.