KABATAAN Partylist on Wednesday (20 Aug 2025) criticized the Marcos administration for what it described as persistent “misprioritization and neglect” in allocating funds for education and health, despite the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) citing insufficient resources as the reason for limiting budget increases.

In a statement, Kabataan Partylist National President Julius Cantiga rejected Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman’s justification, saying the issue is not the lack of funds but the government’s continued decision to channel billions into confidential and intelligence funds, debt servicing, militarization, and patronage projects—while neglecting basic social services.

“The so-called ₱1.224-trillion ‘record’ education budget for 2026 is nothing but performative optics,” Cantiga said.

“The government boasts of following international standards in allocating a share of GDP to education only now, when the country is already mired in a deep learning crisis,” he added.

Kabataan argued that the administration’s framing of the budget as “historic” is misleading. The group noted that classrooms remain overcrowded, funding for state universities and colleges is inadequate, and teachers continue to be overworked and underpaid.

“To call this a historic allocation is hypocrisy. It is a disservice and a clear betrayal of the youth,” the group said.

The youth group further warned that the administration’s approach signals a broader shift toward the privatization and commercialization of education, as Filipino families are increasingly forced to shoulder costs that should be covered by the state.

Kabataan reiterated its call to reallocate billions from confidential and intelligence funds, militarization, and other “anti-people projects” toward lasting solutions to the country’s education and health crises.

“Education is a right, not a burden to be offloaded to the private sector. It is time to stop wasting billions on secrecy and militarization and invest in schools, teachers, and health services,” Cantiga said.