Group urges lawmakers to reverse cuts to DepEd’s 2027 budget

MANILA, Philippines — A civil society group has urged lawmakers to reverse cuts to several programs under the proposed 2027 budget for the Department of Education (DepEd) and direct more resources to learners and communities facing barriers to education.

Education-Network (E-Net) Philippines lamented the drop in DepEd’s budget from P1.01 trillion in 2026 to P973.40 billion in 2027.

READ: Angara: 2027 DepEd budget lower due to infra being defunded

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“We are deeply concerned that programs intended for learners and communities already facing the greatest barriers are among those being reduced,” E-Net said in a press release on Monday.

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Under the proposed budget for next year, funding for Special Needs Education (SNED) will fall by about 18.5 percent, from P1.043 billion in 2026 to P849.98 million in 2027. 

Funds for Indigenous Peoples Education were slashed by more than half, from P154.436 million to P76.168 million.

Additionally, the group noted that funding for Madrasah Education decreased from P521.615 million to P504.282 million, while the allocation for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) was reduced from P897 million to P722 million.

“Last Mile and GIDA Schools also falls far short of need from P3 billion in 2025, funding is down to P1.91 billion in the FY 2027 NEP – a 36.3% reduction,” it also said.

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According to E-Net, these budget cuts move in the opposite direction of what is needed to reach out-of-school children and youth, as well as adults who were unable to complete basic education.

“E-Net calls for P5 billion for ALS to reach at least one million learners, together with stronger support for flexible learning options, working adults, Community Learning Centers (CLCs), and recognition of prior learning and another P5 billion dedicated and earmarked allocation for Last Mile and GIDA schools for classrooms and other essential facilities, connectivity, learning resources and equipment, and teacher and personnel deployment,” the press release read.

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READ: P3-B DepEd voucher cut may reduce student beneficiaries – Angara

The group also stressed that Last Mile Schools, CLCs and Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) “must have clear, dedicated and trackable budget lines.”

E-Net also raised concerns over gaps in learner protection, mental health and learning recovery in the proposed 2027 budget.

“The FY 2027 NEP has no clearly identifiable dedicated funding for responsive and preventive learner-protection programs, despite continuing violence, bullying, cyberbullying and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and the need for functioning Child Protection Committees, reporting, referral and case-management systems,” it said.

Moreover, the group sounded the alarm over the proposed cut in the School-Based Feeding Program from P25.695 billion to P11.431 billion, which is more than half of its FY 2026 allocation.

E-Net said an education budget cannot be called adequate if programs serving learners who face the greatest barriers are reduced.

Jobs under 2027 DepEd budget

Meanwhile, E-Net welcomed the allocation for 1,800 School Counselor Associate I positions but said it is far below the scale of need across the public school system.

“More critically, there are no dedicated program support funds for Regional Offices, Schools Division Offices and schools implementing the School Mental Health Program,” it further said, pointing that school personnel must be supported by resources for counseling, psychosocial support, prevention, referral and capacity-building.

The group likewise flagged that no new teaching items, Administrative Officer II positions or School Principal I positions as well as the zero allocation for the ARAL Program.

READ: DepEd can’t hire new teachers in 2027 due to budget cuts – Angara

“E-Net proposes funding for 15,000 additional teaching positions, together with stronger administrative and school leadership support,” it said.

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The group also called on the Congress to adequately fund teacher welfare and Magna Carta benefits, including the Special Hardship Allowance, fair and timely compensation for teaching overload or overtime pay, mental health and psychosocial support, transfer allowances for reassigned teachers, and deployment and relocation support for personnel serving in Last Mile and GIDA schools. /jpv