Education, public works top proposed 2026 NEP prioritized sectors

By Brian Campued

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to improve the education system in the country, the education sector topped the list of priority sectors outlined in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), amounting to P6.793 trillion.

The proposed 2026 NEP, which is 7.4% higher than the enacted 2025 national budget of P6.326 trillion, was submitted to the President by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in Malacañang on Tuesday.

With the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Nurturing Future-Ready Generations to Achieve the Full Potential of the Nation”, the proposed budget for next year is aimed to sustain the momentum gained by the Marcos Jr. administration for the past three years.

“Still anchored on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, the 2026 budget will prioritize the essentials that uphold the fundamental rights of the people, such as the right to quality and accessible education; strengthened healthcare systems and services; expanded social protection programs; and food security,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a news release.

This was after Marcos said in his podcast last week that an improved education system is the project he wanted to finish before his term ends, stressing that physical developments will not be properly attained if the workforce lacks appropriate training due to gaps in access to quality education.

Among the Top 10 sectors prioritized in the proposed 2026 spending plan are:

• Education (DepEd)- P928.5 billion
• Public Works (DPWH)- P881.3 billion
• Health (DOH and PhilHealth)- P320.5 billion
• Defense (DND)- P299.3 billion
• Interior and Local Government (DILG) – P287.5 billion
• Agriculture (DA and attached corporations, DAR) – PP239.2 billion
• Social Welfare (DSWD and NCSC) – P227.0 billion
• Transportation (DOTr and attached corporations) – P198.6 billion
• Judiciary – P67.9 billion
• Labor and Employment (DOLE and DMW) – P55.2 billion

Education and public works also received the biggest budget portions in the enacted 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in December last year.

In July 2025, the Chief Executive approved the proposed 2026 national budget.

The DBM will then submit the 2026 NEP to Congress on Wednesday, which will scrutinize the budget.

The President also said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he would not sign the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) if it is not aligned with the NEP.

The DBM will then submit the 2026 NEP to Congress on Wednesday. (with report from Mela Lesmoras / PTV News)

-jpv