Manila, Sept. 16 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking a PHP928.52-billion allocation in the proposed 2026 national budget, equivalent to four percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), to sustain programs for classrooms, nutrition, digital learning, and teacher welfare.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Tuesday that the proposed budget, now under Senate scrutiny, aims to "make every peso count" for learners and educators.

"Malaki pa ang hamon na hinaharap natin sa sektor ng edukasyon, ngunit malinaw ang direksyon - bawat pondo ay para sa mga guro at mag-aaral (We face enormous challenges in the education sector, but the direction is clear - every peso is for our teachers and learners)," Angara told senators....