A coalition of major Philippine business and education groups has thrown its support behind the proposed P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 national budget, urging Congress to ensure the increased funding is tied to transparent accountability measures and long-term, evidence-based reforms.
The groups—the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA, and Association of Foundations Philippines Inc.—issued a joint statement saying the investment demonstrates a “clear recognition that sustained human capital development are central to the country’s long-term competitiveness.”
They said that funding is an opportunity to address persistent learning gaps, strengthen teacher quality and improve school facilities. However, they warned that “realizing these outcomes… requires transparent and accountable budget processes that ensure every peso delivers maximum value for learners.”
The coalition called for greater transparency, particularly in the bicameral conference committee where final budget allocations are decided, saying that public scrutiny is essential to ensure resources go to programs that most improve learning outcomes.
They also called for stronger accountability and corrective action for parties proven to have mismanaged education funds.
The business and education leaders said that budget growth alone would not translate into higher literacy rates or improved teacher effectiveness without “disciplined implementation” tied to a long-term reform agenda with clear policy targets and strong monitoring systems. They insisted that government spending should be anchored on evidence-based reforms with performance rigorously tracked and made public.
The joint statement underscored the importance of consistent leadership and effective management in the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure funding is allocated to high-priority areas such as teacher professional development, learning remediation and system governance.
They reiterated confidence in DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and his team, whose commitment to transparency and data-driven policymaking provides the stability needed for reforms.
“Investing in our people remains foundational to economic and social development,” the groups said.
“Sustained, well-governed investment in education is not just a social imperative—it is an economic strategy that will define the Philippines’ trajectory for decades,” they said.
The private sector, they said, is ready to support continued implementation of reforms to prepare learners for a rapidly evolving labor market.
