Senate urged to use unprogrammed funds for Last Mile Schools

MANILA, Philippines — A think tank urged the Senate yesterday to prioritize digital infrastructure in the 2026 national budget by ramping up support for the Department of Education (DepEd)’s connectivity and technology programs.

Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit asked senators to redirect a portion of unprogrammed appropriations to expand DepEd’s Last Mile Schools Program, which aims to provide internet access, digital devices and solar-powered electrification to underserved public schools.

Manhit noted that the program maintains a flat allocation of P3 billion in both the 2025 General Appropriations Act and the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

According to him, the proposed 2026 budget does not include explicit line items for key programs like the computerization program or connectivity enhancement, despite the growing urgency for digital learning infrastructure.

“Reliable broadband internet and access to artificial intelligence-powered learning platforms are no longer luxuries, they are essential infrastructure. They ensure learning continuity during typhoons and floods, and equip both teachers and students with tools to thrive in a digitally driven, AI-powered economy,” Manhit added.

He warned that without immediate investments, the country risks widening educational inequality and falling further behind in global readiness rankings.

The Global Education Futures Readiness Index recently ranked the Philippines fifth lowest in Southeast Asia, scoring only 56.32 out of 100, citing persistent gaps in infrastructure, innovation and access.

“The latest innovations in education technology are often not the cheapest. If we want durable, scalable systems that can truly transform learning, we must invest in best-value solutions, just like the private sector does,” he said.

“This is about future-proofing Philippine education. The Senate now has the opportunity to do something right with this budget, let’s make sure our learners are ready for the digital future,” Manhit said.