By Joyce Ann Rocamora
MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Saturday assured continued funding support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program in 2027 through existing budget allocations.
In a news release, the DBM said learning remains a government priority under the 2027 national budget even though the ARAL program does not have a separate budget line item in the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The DBM said the strengthening of learning recovery initiatives, including ARAL, was identified as a priority under a national budget memorandum issued in March 2025, which guided the preparation of agency budget proposals for 2027.
“The same policy direction was reflected in the FY 2027 Budget Priorities Framework, which specifically calls for accelerating ARAL implementation under Human Capital Development, alongside efforts to expand equitable access to quality education,” it said.
The DepEd remains the highest-funded department under the proposed 2027 NEP, with an allocation of PHP975.96 billion.
Since ARAL’s implementation began in 2025, the program has been funded through existing DepEd programs, activities, and projects (PAPs), rather than through a separate budget line item.
For 2026, the proposed national budget included PHP2.26 billion for ARAL learning resources under Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials.
Following congressional adjustments and the enactment of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), total appropriations attributable to ARAL reached PHP8.94 billion, distributed across several existing DepEd programs.
The DBM said the proposed 2027 NEP includes PHP6.47 billion for textbooks and other instructional materials, which could accommodate support for ARAL learning resources alongside other instructional requirements.
The DBM’s assessment also took into account the PHP25.75 billion allocation for the same program under the 2026 GAA and its utilization.
“This means that while ARAL does not have a separate budget line item under the proposed NEP, the program will still receive funding from DepEd’s existing budget allocations for related education programs and activities, provided these funds are used for their intended purposes and in accordance with existing rules,” it said.
In assessing additional funding requirements for 2027, the DBM also considered the status and utilization of existing appropriations.
DepEd had yet to request the release of PHP6.68 billion in the 2026 congressional adjustments for ARAL, when the proposed national budget was being prepared in May.
“A significant portion of these funds was subsequently released during the third quarter of 2026, with the corresponding activities expected to extend into FY (Fiscal Year) 2027. This was among the considerations in assessing the program’s funding requirements alongside the need to sustain ongoing education activities,” the DBM said.
The budget department said compensation for teachers providing ARAL tutoring services beyond their regular teaching load may be charged against available Personnel Services allotments, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations.
If these allotments are insufficient, DepEd may request additional funding from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF), in accordance with applicable rules.
The DBM also cited complementary learning recovery efforts, including the PHP900 million allocation for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tara, Basa! Program under the proposed 2027 national budget.
The program aims to improve the reading skills of struggling elementary learners while providing temporary employment and financial assistance to economically disadvantaged college students.
