President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. underscored the need for increased funding for the Department of Education (DepEd) to address critical challenges, including the country’s teacher shortage and infrastructure needs, after the agency reported significant budget reductions for 2025.
Speaking during a meeting with DepEd officials to review the agency’s 2025 budget, Mr. Marcos stressed the importance of prioritizing education despite the funding gaps. “We have to be able to show that that’s [education] the priority,” he said.
DepEd’s proposed budget for 2025 was slashed from its initial request of P748 billion to P737 billion by the 19th Congress. The cuts impact key areas, including the creation of new school personnel positions, the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), and the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP).
DepEd officials warned that the reduced budget for hiring new school personnel will worsen the ongoing teacher shortage, as existing gaps from previous years remain unaddressed. The shortage, they said, undermines the delivery of quality education across the country.
The agency also highlighted the significant impact of cuts to the DCP, which received only P2.43 billion of its proposed P12.379 billion allocation.
This reduction forced the cancellation of PHP 4 billion worth of already-procured projects, including the provision of laptops, smart TVs, and satellite-based internet for learners and teachers.
In addition, the reduced BEFF budget is expected to slow down the construction of new school buildings, further straining existing educational facilities.
During the meeting, President Marcos also addressed funding issues faced by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
While TESDA’s budget increased to P20.73 billion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act from P18.50 billion in the National Expenditure Program, critical initiatives such as the creation of an Enterprise-based Training Office and the establishment of a new regional office for the Negros Island Region remain unfunded.
The President supported TESDA’s plan to explore alternative financing options for these programs to ensure their implementation.
Despite the budgetary challenges, President Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritize education, calling for collaborative efforts to address gaps in funding and resource allocation.
The President’s push for increased education funding aligns with his broader agenda to strengthen the country’s human capital and drive long-term economic growth.
Education stakeholders have lauded the President’s focus on the sector but emphasized the urgency of addressing funding deficiencies to meet the growing needs of the Philippine education system.