MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) on Saturday asked Congress to prioritize the Filipino people in the 2026 budget deliberations, demanding full transparency and greater investment in education and human capital.
“We must allocate our resources where it matters most, because every peso wasted denies our people access to vital programs—such as education, nutrition and healthcare—that they rightfully deserve,” PBEd executive director Hanibal Camua said in a statement.
The group noted that education remains underfunded, with the 2026 National Expenditure Program allocating around P1.178 trillion for education, representing only about 3.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), falling short of the UNESCO standard of 4 percent to 6 percent.
The non-profit organization founded in 2006 by top CEOs in the country cited a report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education showing that over the past decade, education spending has averaged only 3.2 percent of GDP.
Despite the constitutional mandate to give education the “highest priority,” the Philippines continues to fall short of global standards due to chronic underinvestment, it said.
“We cannot afford to let insertions and inefficiencies eat into the education budget,” Camua said.
“Every year we delay meeting the standard, we risk losing a generation. Opening the budget deliberations from start until its passage will help strengthen accountability and ensure that public funds truly serve the people,” said Camua.
PBEd also expressed support for the creation of the high-level inter-agency Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) under Administrative Order No. 36, an administrative measure to improve coordination among education agencies.
“The creation of the EWDG is a crucial step toward bridging the gap between what our schools teach and what our industries need,” Camua said.
“For it to truly succeed, it must be grounded in transparent budgeting, strong accountability, and active engagement with stakeholders—so that every reform truly delivers better education and brighter opportunities for all Filipinos,” he said.
