SENATOR Bam Aquino on Tuesday highlighted that with P1.35 trillion earmarked for education—the largest education fund in Philippine history—the 2026 national budget represents a major victory for both education and the Filipino youth.

According to Aquino, who voted in favor of the ratification of the 2026 national budget, this historic allocation will translate into tangible support for students nationwide.

“Mas maraming estudyanteng makikinabang sa dagdag na silid-aralan at libreng pagkain, pati na rin sa pinataas na pondo para sa libreng kolehiyo, at pinansiyal na tulong sa RLE ng nursing at health science students,” said Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The P1.35-trillion education budget—higher than the roughly P1 trillion allocated in 2025—includes P67 billion for the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Free College Law, which he authored. This amount also provides additional funding for the Tertiary Education Subsidy for underprivileged students.

The budget allocates P68 billion for classroom construction, up from P18 billion, and P25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, up from P11.7 billion.

Also included in the 2026 national budget was Aquino’s proposal to allocate P500 million under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Higher Education Development Program, specifically for Financial Support for RLE Requirements in Allied Health Sciences Programs.

The senator expressed gratitude to the various groups and individuals who helped monitor and safeguard the budget process.

However, Aquino emphasized that the responsibility does not end with the passage of the budget, stressing that the public must remain vigilant to ensure proper implementation of the funds.

“Subalit hindi rito nagtatapos ang ating tungkulin. Patuloy tayong maging mapagbantay upang matiyak na ang pondo ay magagamit nang tama at hindi mapupunta sa bulsa ng mga tiwali sa pamahalaan,” he said.

“Sama-sama nating siguruhin na ang pondo ay mapupunta sa edukasyon—hindi sa korapsyon,” he added.