SENATE FINANCE PANEL VOWS TO DEFEND EDUCATION BUDGET ADDITIONS IN 2026 APPROPRIATIONS
/ 13 December 2025
SENATE Finance Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian clarified that he has not received any information regarding plans to reduce the education budget in the proposed 2026 national spending plan, contrary to concerns raised by Senator Bam Aquino.
Aquino had earlier mentioned reports suggesting a possible reduction in the education allocation, even after the Senate added ₱90 billion to the sector.
However, Gatchalian said on Friday that no such discussions have reached him.
“I haven’t received any information like that,” Gatchalian said in an interview. “Everyone wants to increase the education budget. In fact, if we could raise it even higher, that would be better. The only challenges are limited funding and ensuring that agencies can fully utilize the allocations. There are also issues related to absorptive capacity.”
When asked about the Senate contingent’s stance should any proposal to cut education funding arise during bicameral conference committee deliberations, Gatchalian stressed that defending the sector has long been part of his personal advocacy.
“That is my personal advocacy. As you know, I previously chaired the basic education committee,” he said. “I will defend it as much as I can. Of course, many factors need to be considered—utilization, other budget requirements—and the bicam is a collegial body. But personally, I will defend it.”
The bicameral conference committee is expected to reconcile differing House and Senate versions of the proposed 2026 national budget in the coming weeks.
