THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Friday asked the Senate to increase its allocation under the proposed 2027 national budget, seeking an additional P147.93 billion to fund priority programs and projects.

Under the proposed 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), DepEd has an allocation of P967.23 billion, lower than the P969.79 billion it initially proposed under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara urged senators to consider the department’s funding wishlist, which also includes an additional P1.74 billion for its attached agencies.

The proposed additional funding covers six major areas: learning recovery, personnel development, classroom construction and repairs, learner welfare, inclusive education, and governance and innovation.

Of the total, DepEd is seeking P15.68 billion for learning recovery programs, noting that the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program received no allocation under the proposed budget.

The department is also requesting P52.11 billion for personnel-related expenses, including the hiring of teachers and school principals, overtime pay, allowances, terminal leave benefits, and training for teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Another P41.06 billion is being sought for classroom construction and repairs, internet subscriptions, textbooks, instructional materials, and school safety measures. The latter include hiring additional security guards and acquiring metal detectors and perimeter fences.

For learner support and well-being, DepEd is seeking P35.92 billion to fund school feeding programs, physical fitness and sports activities, and mental health initiatives for students.

The department’s funding wishlist also includes P833.8 million for inclusive education programs serving learners with special needs and Indigenous communities, as well as P330 million for governance and innovation initiatives.

Meanwhile, the additional P1.74 billion requested for DepEd’s attached agencies would support the National Book Development Board, National Council for Children’s Television, National Museum of the Philippines, Philippine High School for the Arts, National Academy of Sports, and Teacher Education Council.

The proposed additional funding is intended to strengthen the department’s capacity to address learning gaps, expand education services, improve school facilities, and support the welfare of learners and education personnel.