DepEd Budget Changes Raise Concerns Among Lawmakers
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has confirmed that the House of Representatives initially increased the Department of Education’s proposed budget for 2025. However, after the bicameral conference committee’s review, the final allocation was reduced to an amount lower than that of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This development has stirred questions about the budget process and its impact on education funding.
During the House committee on appropriations hearing for the 2026 proposed budget, Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano sought clarification on the status of the Department of Education budget at various stages. He specifically asked if the DepEd budget was higher than the DPWH’s in the executive-proposed National Expenditures Program (NEP) and the House-approved General Appropriations Bill (HGAB).
House Budget Initially Favored DepEd Over DPWH
“Last time I remember, under the NEP discussed in 2024, so it’s for the 2025 budget, the Department of Education budget is bigger compared to DPWH, under the 2025 NEP, right?” Valeriano inquired.
He further questioned, “And then after the HGAB was finished, after the House of Congress finalized it, the budget of the Department of Education is still bigger compared to the DPWH, if you remember it.” To which Angara replied, “You are correct, Your Honor. To my recollection, yes Your Honor, because you even increased our budget under the HGAB.” This confirmed that the House initially allocated a higher budget to DepEd compared to DPWH.
Bicameral Conference Committee Cuts DepEd Budget
However, when asked about the final figures reflected in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) after bicameral deliberations, Valeriano noted that the DPWH budget surpassed that of DepEd. Angara acknowledged this, stating, “That’s correct.” This shift indicates that while the House favored DepEd, the bicam committee adjusted the allocations, resulting in a reduced education budget.
To clarify, the budget process involves the executive branch submitting the NEP to the House. The House then reviews and revises it, producing the HGAB. The Senate also deliberates on the budget. If differences arise between the House and Senate versions, a bicameral conference committee reconciles them into a unified proposal.
Constituent Concerns and Budget Transparency
Valeriano explained his inquiry by sharing that many constituents have questioned the changes to the DepEd budget. They suspect that budget deductions were caused by congressional actions. “So what I just want to say, Mr. Secretary, because when I come home to my district, I am asked by people from my constituency about the issue because they feel like the insertion or changes were made by Congress,” he said.
He summarized, “Is it safe for me to say that after the HGAB here in Congress, there is a bigger budget for DepEd compared to DPWH and when the GAA came out, when it is no longer at the hands of Congress, the DPWH budget is already bigger compared to that of DepEd?” Angara confirmed, “That was the result, Your Honor. The budget of the DPWH really increased after the bicam, Your Honor. What I remember is that the DepEd budget was increased when the HGAB was passed.”
Other Lawmakers Voice Similar Budget Concerns
Valeriano is not alone in raising alarms about budget realignments. On August 12, Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno expressed certainty that changes to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) subsidy worth P74 billion did not originate in the House. This came amid Senator Panfilo Lacson’s concerns that the subsidy adjustments in the 2025 national budget were illegal as they appeared to amend the Sin Tax Law.
Puno agreed with Lacson’s assessment but noted that the House version of the General Appropriations Bill retained the PhilHealth subsidy intact. Moreover, Puno emphasized that the Department of Education’s budget was also intact and even larger in the House version, while the Public Works budget saw reductions. He stated, “Even the Department of Education budget was intact, in fact, it is bigger. What was reduced in the House version is the Public Works budget. Look at what we sent to the Senate. Now, when the GAA finally was released, the PhilHealth trust fund was removed, the Department of Education was trimmed, and the Public Works budget increased.”
According to Puno, he and his colleagues in the National Unity Party are eager to identify those responsible for the budget realignments, including the increased funding for DPWH.
Budget Process Transparency Remains a Priority
The unfolding situation highlights the complexities of the budget process and the challenges in ensuring transparency. Local leaders and community members continue to call for clearer explanations regarding the shifts in budget allocations, especially for critical departments like education.
As the Department of Education’s budget fluctuates between proposals and final approvals, many stakeholders remain watchful of how these changes will affect educational programs and infrastructure nationwide.
For more news and updates on Department of Education budget, visit Filipinokami.com.
