THE DEPARTMENT of Education  on Wednesday sought to allay concerns over a possible short-term reenactment of the national budget at the start of 2026, assuring the public that education programs and services for learners and teachers will continue without disruption.

In a statement, DepEd said its ongoing and existing initiatives remain fully funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), allowing the agency to sustain operations even if the 2026 budget is enacted a few days into the new year.

“DepEd’s ongoing and existing programs that support our learners and teachers remain unaffected, as they are fully funded under the 2025 GAA, ensuring uninterrupted continuity of operations,” said Dennis Legaspi, chief of the department’s Media Relations Office.

The clarification comes amid reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the proposed 2026 national budget in the first week of January, which could result in a brief reenacted budget during the opening days of the year.

Legaspi explained that a reenacted budget would only delay the rollout of new initiatives not yet covered by current appropriations, noting that DepEd would use the interim period to complete implementation guidelines.

“The reenactment of the budget would only affect the rollout of new programs, and the brief period will be used by DepEd to finalize the necessary implementation guidelines,” he said.

Under existing rules, a reenacted budget allows government agencies to continue spending based on the previous year’s approved allocations until a new budget is signed into law.

DepEd said this mechanism ensures stability in the delivery of basic education services, especially during critical transition periods. The agency added that it stands ready to immediately implement new programs once the 2026 GAA takes effect, assuring that learners and teachers will not experience any service gaps.

The education sector is set to receive the biggest share of the proposed 2026 national budget.

Earlier, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the spending plan ratified by Congress was crafted to ensure that public funds translate into measurable improvements in student learning outcomes.

Angara also described the 2026 budget process as among the most transparent in recent history, emphasizing that allocations were carefully reviewed to prioritize programs that directly benefit classrooms, teachers, and learners.