Business group urges open bicam budget deliberations

Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), an industry-led advocacy group, is calling for increased transparency, including open bicameral conference committee deliberations, in the final stages of the 2026 national budget process. The call follows a historic P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the proposed budget.

The increased funding, which Senate finance committee chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian reported represents roughly 20 percent of the total budget or 4.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, is a welcome development, it said.

PBEd executive director Bal Camua noted that the allocation brings the Philippines closer to the global benchmark for education spending.

Camua said that while the investment offers an opportunity to improve learning outcomes, teacher quality and facilities, it should be paired with transparency and accountability to ensure the money benefits learners.

PBEd urged lawmakers to open the bicameral conference committee (bicam) talks to the public, as this final negotiation phase often determines crucial funding priorities and realignments.

“Decisions made in the bicam can significantly reshape allocations and the public deserves to know how and why these decisions are made,” Camua said.

PBEd said transparency at this stage would strengthen public trust and ensure the education budget reflects the true priorities of learners and teachers.

The group also called on both houses of Congress to make budget hearings, committee reports and amendments publicly accessible and understandable, especially in light of recent allegations of corruption in the budget process.

PBEd said the increased funding should lead to concrete improvements in literacy rates, access to quality education and job readiness for graduates.

“Let us invest in our people first if we want to improve our economy,” Camua said.

“Education is the foundation of national growth and clear use of public funds is essential to make that investment count,” Camua said.

PBEd reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, private sector and civil society to ensure the education budget supports evidence-based policies and long-term human capital development.