Senator Bam Aquino emphasized that the 2027 national budget must prioritize funding for public education and the universal feeding program over questionable infrastructure projects, particularly controversial flood control works.
Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, stressed that state funds should be funneled directly into initiatives that benefit Filipinos, specifically students in need of new classrooms, nutritious meals, and improved learning infrastructure.
The senator voiced concern following the House of Representatives’ decision to reduce the Department of Education (DepEd) allocation by P6.17 billion, trimming the proposed agency budget from P975.96 billion down to P969.79 billion in the 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
The reductions comprise a P3.1-billion cut from the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), bringing it down from P30.55 billion to P27.45 billion, along with a P3.1-billion reduction in the Computerization Program, dropping its funding from P5.79 billion to P2.63 billion.
“In 2025, binigyan natin ng zero budget ang flood control. At that time, it was mired in controversy and still mired in controversy until now,” Aquino said.
“Tanggalan natin ng pondo ang mga proyektong iyan at ilagay sa feeding program at classrooms. Gawin nating prayoridad sa ating budget ang kapakanan ng ating kabataan,” Aquino also said.
Aquino likewise sounded the alarm regarding the drop in funding for the Expanded National Nutrition Program, which was scaled back from P25.7 billion this year to P11.43 billion in the proposed 2027 spending plan, despite escalating food prices and growing enrollment.
He noted that the funding drop is alarming as the government prepares to roll out the expanded school feeding program to cover every public school student from Kindergarten to Grade 3. Sufficient financing remains essential to maintain meal distribution amid rising inflation.
“Tinaasan na nga ang cost per meal from P25 to P35 dahil hindi na talaga sapat ang dating halaga. Pero kung kasabay nito ay babawasan ang total budget para sa feeding, mas konting bata ang mapapakain,” Aquino explained.
“Napakahirap matuto kapag gutom ka,” Aquino also said, underlining that proper nutritional support is vital to bridging learning gaps among young students.
Serving as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Aquino pledged to fight for sufficient resources for education, the universal feeding program, and critical academic sector measures.
“Papayag ba tayo na hindi mapondohan yung feeding program pero pinondohan iyong mga kontrobersiyal na proyekto?” Aquino asked, highlighting the urgency of reviewing spending allocations to favor direct student support.
In his role as chairperson of Finance Sub Committee B, Aquino will lead a budget briefing covering DepEd and its attached agencies on Friday, Oct. 16.