EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto said the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) aims to benefit over a million teachers.
"The biggest chunk of the education budget ... basically, the biggest is the payment of teachers," Recto told reporters on Thursday.
A budget of P7.2 trillion has been proposed for 2027, and basic education under the Department of Education (DepEd) accounts for the highest allocation at P976 billion.
"We have more than 1 million teachers there, teaching roughly about 25 million students when it comes to elementary and secondary,” Recto said.
Addressing concerns over fiscal transparency and potential lump-sum discretionary spending, Recto rejected allegations that the proposed budget contains unassigned funds.
He noted that every budget item, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects, is fully documented.
"There are no discretionary funds in the 2027 budget,” Recto emphasized.
He dismissed claims that the proposed spending plan could serve as an early campaign budget ahead of the 2028 elections.
