SENATE Finance Committee Chairman Juan Edgardo Angara said that the education sector will be given priority in the P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023.

The Senate passed the budget measure on final reading on Wednesday.

The bicameral conference committee will start meeting on Friday to reconcile the budget versions of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Angara said the 2023 budget will provide funds for education programs to help students continue with their education in spite of the financial troubles faced by their families during the pandemic.

These programs include the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program; Senior High School Voucher Program; Education Service Contracting for Junior High School; Student Financial Assistance Programs; Joint Delivery Voucher for Senior High School Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track; and Private Education Student Financial Assistance

Angara said that the 2023 budget measure addresses the needs of the people post-pandemic, supports the goal of ensuring food security, reviving education and preparing the country for the impacts of climate change, among other things.

“With the inputs and support of most, if not all, of our colleagues here in the Senate, we have been able to keep this budget aligned with the objectives and agenda outlined in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework,” the senator said.