Manila, Jan. 5 -- Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday expressed hopes for a promising year ahead as the sector received a historic budget to advance education reforms.

Angara made the statement after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the PHP6.79 trillion 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), with the Department of Education (DepEd) securing PHP1.015 trillion in funds, marking the first time the Philippines reached the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) benchmark for education spending.

"We are looking at a very promising 2026 for the education sector," Angara said in a statement, citing acceleration of program and support deliveries, classroom constructions, and intensified digitali...