Capitol hikes education spending to P1.821 billion

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has increased its education spending this year to close to P2 billion following the recent approval by the Cebu Provincial School Board of a P367.9 million supplemental budget for 2026.

The supplemental appropriation was approved during the CPSB’s regular meeting at the Capitol on June 2, where board members addressed classroom shortages, improvements in learning facilities, and the expansion of educational support programs across Cebu Province.

With the additional allocation sourced from the Capitol’s Special Education Fund (SEF), the board’s total budget increased from P1.453 billion to P1.821 billion.

A large portion of the supplemental budget will be dedicated to programs designed to directly benefit learners, including a province-wide school feeding initiative and the expansion of the province’s smart classroom project.

The board allocated P100 million for a school feeding program aimed at improving the nutritional status of students throughout the province.

Christopher Baricuatro, secretary of the CPSB, said the board is already coordinating with the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer to ensure the program is implemented efficiently.

“We are coordinating with the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer to come up with an implementation strategy for the feeding program that will not place an undue burden on teachers and parents,” Baricuatro said.

Another P100 million has been earmarked for the construction of additional smart classrooms, further strengthening one of the provincial government’s flagship education projects.

Baricuatro said the new allocation will augment the P700 million previously set aside for the smart classroom initiative.

Under the original plan, each of Cebu Province’s 51 local government units (LGUs) will receive one smart classroom building to help address the shortage of quality learning spaces.

Each smart classroom building will consist of four classrooms, with two rooms located on the ground floor and another two on the second floor.

Each classroom is designed to accommodate up to 40 students and will be equipped with chairs and modern learning facilities to enhance classroom instruction.

The facilities will include wall-mounted fans, smart interactive panel televisions, whiteboards, and WiFi-ready infrastructure to support digital learning.

The buildings will also incorporate sustainable features such as solar-powered systems, LED lighting, solar lamps, and rainwater catchment facilities equipped with pumps.

According to Baricuatro, the additional funding could increase the number of smart classroom buildings beyond the initial target, as several LGUs have requested more than one structure.

“The additional funding could increase the number of smart classroom buildings to 60 because some LGUs have requested more than one building,” he said.

Apart from the feeding program and smart classrooms, the supplemental budget also provides P20.5 million for additional Temporary Learning Shelters, P20 million for a Mobile Library, and P20 million for a Mobile Training Center.

The board likewise allocated P27 million for additional school supplies, office supplies, instructional materials, and operating expenses for learners from Kindergarten to Grade 12, along with P20 million for reference materials on Good Moral and Right Conduct and P10 million for additional basic learning kits.

To further improve learning outcomes, the CPSB approved P20 million for speech laboratories and P5 million in financial assistance for the Department of Education-Central Visayas delegation to the Palarong Pambansa, as requested by DepEd-7 Director Arturo Bayocot.

Furthermore, P5 million was allocated for lot acquisition, P2 million for an Educational Summit, P2 million for the purchase of information technology equipment, and P3.1 million for the payment of collapsible tents covering a 2019 obligation. — /FPL (FREEMAN)