𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗥: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗛 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 ₱𝟭.𝟯𝟴𝗧 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁

Education reforms scored a massive opening this week as the government set aside a record-breaking ₱1.38 trillion for the sector in the proposed 2026 national budget — but advocates say the fight doesn’t end with big numbers. Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) welcomed the milestone allocation while urging lawmakers to make the entire budget process fully transparent, particularly as the country grapples with long-standing issues in literacy, teacher quality, and infrastructure gaps. Executive Director Bal Camua said the expanded budget presents a “critical opportunity” to finally meet global benchmarks for education spending, but warned that every peso must be traceable and responsibly used if it is to translate into real gains for learners.

A huge portion of the battle, PBEd stressed, lies in the bicameral conference committee — the final and most opaque stage of budget negotiations where crucial realignments happen. The group renewed its call for bicam deliberations to be opened to the public, especially with education funds now forming nearly 20% of the entire spending plan. Transparency at this level, Camua said, would not only rebuild public trust amid ongoing corruption controversies but also ensure that funding decisions truly reflect the needs of teachers, students, and school communities.

PBEd also underscored that higher spending should lead to measurable improvements: better reading and math outcomes, stronger teacher training, modernized school facilities, and graduates who are job-ready. With support from both public and private sectors, the group said it remains committed to shaping evidence-based reforms — reminding the government that investing in people is the country’s strongest long-term economic strategy. “Education is the foundation of national growth,” Camua emphasized. “Clear, accountable use of public funds is how we make that investment count.”