ASSISTANT Majority Leader and Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun, a prominent member of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives, clarified on Tuesday that the education sector remains the government’s top priority in the 2025 national budget.
He dismissed allegations that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget surpasses education funding, labeling such claims as baseless.
“Based on our data and figures in the 2025 national budget, it is clear that education still receives the highest allocation compared to DPWH. The claim that DPWH gets a larger budget than education is fake news,” Khonghun stated.
Education Leads with P1.055 Trillion Allocation
Khonghun explained that the education sector’s budget totals P1.055 trillion, exceeding the DPWH’s P1.033 trillion by P22 billion. This allocation fulfills the constitutional mandate to prioritize education.
The education budget includes funding for various agencies and institutions:
Department of Education (DepEd): P782.17 billion
Commission on Higher Education (CHED): P34.88 billion
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs): P127.23 billion
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA): P20.97 billion
Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System: P2.80 billion
Science Education Institute (SEI): P7.49 billion
Additional allocations for education-related infrastructure (P14.76 billion) and the salary differential under Executive Order No. 64 (P60.59 billion) further bolster the education sector’s funding.
DPWH Budget Adjusted for Convergence Projects
The DPWH’s original allocation of P1.114 trillion was reduced by P82 billion for convergence projects, leaving a net total of P1.033 trillion, including P1.2 billion for salary adjustments under E.O. No. 64.
“Clearly, the administration prioritizes education. This budget addresses the needs of students, teachers, and infrastructure to improve the quality of education,” Khonghun emphasized.
A Commitment to Education and the Future
Khonghun reiterated that prioritizing education reflects the administration’s commitment to the country’s long-term development goals.
“The education budget addresses gaps in classrooms, learning materials, and teacher support, while improving the overall quality of education. Infrastructure needs are not neglected, but education remains the top priority,” he said.
Leadership and Accountability
Khonghun also acknowledged Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s leadership in ensuring the efficient use of resources.
“We are confident that under Secretary Angara’s leadership, the needs of our teachers and students will be addressed effectively,” Khonghun concluded.
This clarification reaffirms the government’s dedication to education as the cornerstone of national progress and development.