The Cebu Provincial Government has expanded its education funding to P1.821 billion for 2026 after the Cebu Provincial School Board (CPSB) approved a P367.9-million supplemental budget aimed at strengthening learner support programs, infrastructure, and technology-based instruction.
The approval was made during the CPSB meeting at the Capitol on June 2, where members outlined priority interventions addressing classroom shortages, nutrition needs, and modernization of learning facilities across the province.
The additional allocation, sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF), will support both ongoing programs and new initiatives intended to improve learning conditions in public schools.
One of the largest components is a P100-million allocation for a province-wide school feeding program designed to address student nutrition and improve classroom performance.
CPSB Secretary Christopher Baricuatro said preparations are underway to ensure proper implementation without burdening teachers and parents.
“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 set aside to expand the province’s smart classroom initiative, a flagship education project that aims to modernize learning spaces across all 51 local government units in Cebu.
The program builds on an earlier P700-million allocation and seeks to provide technology-enabled classrooms equipped with digital learning tools, internet-ready infrastructure, and interactive teaching systems.
Each smart classroom building will contain four classrooms designed to accommodate up to 40 students each, and will also include sustainable features such as solar power systems, energy-efficient lighting, solar lamps, and rainwater collection facilities.
Baricuatro said the additional funding could allow the province to expand its target number of classroom buildings.
“The additional funding could increase the number of smart classroom buildings to 60 because some LGUs have requested more than one building,” he said.
The supplemental budget also includes P20.5 million for additional temporary learning shelters, P20 million each for a mobile library and a mobile training center, and P27 million for instructional materials and school supplies for Kindergarten to Grade 12 learners.
Additional allocations were also approved for speech laboratories, learning kits, reference materials on Good Moral and Right Conduct, IT equipment, and support for the Central Visayas delegation to the Palarong Pambansa.
Officials said the expanded budget reflects the province’s continued push to improve access to quality education through infrastructure development, learner support programs, and technology integration in classrooms.
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