Bicam OKs DepEd budget hike; total now at P961.3 billion

MANILA, Philippines — The bicameral conference committee reconciling the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 has approved a P86.8-billion increase for the Department of Education (DepEd). The lawmakers comprising the bicam panel approved the funding increase on the first day of its open talks for next year’s budget. The move raised DepEd’s final budget to