THE SENATE on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the 2022 national budget.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Committee on Finance, said that the education sector will receive the lion’s share of the national budget.

Angara explained that the Department of Education, state universities and colleges and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority were given higher allocations to aid them in the implementation of face-to-face classes.

A special provision was included for the improvements or modifications of classrooms and laboratories and the procurement of Covid19 tests for faculty and staff and other supplies, equipment and tools needed to ensure compliance with safety protocols.

The budget for the Last Mile Schools Program was also increased.

“Education will continue to receive the lion’s share of the national appropriations. This will be particularly important as we consider the expansion of face-to-face classes to more schools across the country,” Angara said.