SENATOR Bam Aquino has called for heightened vigilance and strict monitoring to ensure that the P1.38-trillion allocation for education in the proposed 2026 national budget remains intact during the bicameral conference committee.

The bicam, composed of selected members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is tasked with reconciling differing provisions in their respective budget versions. In previous years, it has also been a venue for increases or cuts, insertions, new projects, and special provisions.

But with the proceedings set to be livestreamed, Aquino said the public now has an opportunity to witness the discussions firsthand and closely monitor any changes that may affect the education budget — the largest in the country’s history.

“This is really an education budget. Iyon ang panawagan natin. Bantayan natin. I’m expecting na ang sinabi dito na ila-livestream ang laman ng bicam ay matutuloy. Incumbent iyan sa ating lahat na bantayan,” said Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

“Hindi lang iyong media, hindi lang iyong mga pulitiko — iyong taumbayan — bantayan na wala nang slash sa mga budget item na mapupunta sa tao at mapupunta sa tama. Huwag nang dagdagan iyong budget item na alanganin at posibleng magamit lang sa corruption,” he added.

Aquino stressed that sustained public vigilance is necessary to protect the education budget until the President signs the 2026 national budget into law.

“Kung nais natin ng mabuting pamamahala, bantayan natin yung bicam. Kapag may move or may motion na ma-slash ang education budget, umalma kaagad tayo at ipahiwatig natin na ‘di katanggap-tanggap na babawasan ang budget sa edukasyon,” he said.

According to Aquino, the Senate allocated more than P65 billion for the construction of around 27,000 to 30,000 classrooms in 2026.

For student nutrition, the Senate increased the budget for the school-based feeding program to P27 billion.

He added that the Senate earmarked a total of P37 billion for the implementation of Republic Act 10931 or the Free College Law, benefiting 5.7 million students in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and private higher education institutions.

Aside from free tuition, the Senate also set aside P30 billion for student allowances, benefitting 1.5 million underprivileged but deserving students from public or private universities, including 490,000 learners from the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.

“Over 27 million students po diyan sa K-12 at the tertiary ang mabibigyan po ng tulong,” Aquino said.