In a bold move to democratize budget governance, over 150 student leaders and youth advocates convened at the X-Ed Amplify National Budget Congress on July 7, 2025, launching a comprehensive roadmap to reform education financing ahead of President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). Organized by Multiply-Ed (X-Ed)—a coalition led by the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) and Government Watch (G-Watch)—the Congress introduced the 2026 Inclusive Education Budget Agenda and the X-Ed Amplify Bantay Budget Network, a nationwide platform to institutionalize youth participation in budget oversight.
₱437 Billion Needed to Fix Senior High School Shortfalls
Groundbreaking monitoring across 90 public senior high schools exposed critical deficits in classrooms, teachers, materials, and support systems for marginalized learners. Multiply-Ed’s analysis indicates ₱437 billion is required to bridge these gaps nationwide, with ₱1.6 billion urgently needed for schools in their network.
“The data is clear: shortages cripple our schools,” asserted John Elsisura, AmplifyEd Campaign Coordinator. “Classrooms lack chairs, teachers juggle overcrowded sections, and disadvantaged students struggle without tailored programs. Our 2026 agenda isn’t just a plea—it’s a blueprint for equitable spending.”
The agenda identifies underutilized funds and proposes strategic realignments to prioritize Indigenous Peoples’ Education (IPEd), Special Education (SPED), Gender and Development (GAD), and Madrasah programs—all chronically underfunded despite legal mandates.
Breaking Closed-Door Traditions: “Open the Bicam”
Youth delegates challenged opaque budget practices, demanding public access to bicameral conference committee deliberations. “When budget talks happen in shadows, accountability vanishes,” stressed Leizl Adame, CYAN Executive Director. “We’re auditing idle funds and misaligned programs to prove reforms need transparency, not just more pesos.”
DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew Balanquit endorsed the call during a panel, affirming the agency’s commitment to participatory budgeting. He also confirmed the discontinuation of confidential funds for civilian agencies without legislative basis, addressing concerns over DepEd’s past allocations.
Accountability Now: Release the Allocation Lists
Multiply-Ed pressed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to disclose granular education spending data, citing inconsistencies in current disclosures. “Communities track shortages firsthand, yet official reports often don’t match reality,” noted a delegate from Mindanao.
Key Demands:
- Fix the Gaps: Direct funds to address documented resource shortages
- Fund the Margins: Prioritize programs for marginalized learners
- Open the Books: Publish detailed allocation lists and hold open bicam hearings
Read the Full Reports:
About Multiply-Ed (X-Ed)
A national initiative of CYAN, G-Watch, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), and Bukluran UP System (BUPS), supported by Education Out Loud (Global Partnership for Education). X-Ed champions transparent, participatory education governance to ensure resilient, inclusive schools for all learners.
#MalayangEdukasyonPH #FundTheMargins #OpenTheBicam
