SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday pledged rigorous oversight of government education spending as the Senate Committee on Finance prepares to review the implementation of the 2026 national budget.
The education sector has received a historic P1.3 trillion allocation for 2026.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate finance panel, said lawmakers will closely examine how various agencies plan to utilize the record funding to ensure it translates into tangible improvements in learning outcomes.
“Following our historic allocation of funds for the education sector, we will also review the plans of various agencies to ensure that our students and teachers will benefit from it,” he said.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, education received P1.3 trillion — equivalent to 4.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
The allocation marks the first time the Philippines has met the global benchmark set by Unesco, which recommends that countries dedicate 4 percent to 6 percent of GDP to education spending.
The education budget covers key agencies, including the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, state universities and colleges, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The proposed inquiry aims to ensure that appropriated funds are aligned with efforts to resolve what education officials have described as a learning crisis, exacerbated by years of pandemic-related disruptions and persistent gaps in foundational skills such as reading and mathematics.
Gatchalian stressed that increased funding alone will not be enough.
“We need to make sure that this historic budget will address the education crisis and lead to improved learning outcomes,” he said, underscoring the importance of measurable targets and accountability mechanisms.
