₱2B budget approved to hire 10,000 school counselor associates by 2026

The 2026 national budget has set aside ₱2 billion for hiring 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions. This follows Republic Act 12080, which requires schools to provide mental health support for students and staff. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has now urged faster action on these hires. Republic Act 12080 mandates schools to establish mental health programs and services. It also requires the hiring and deployment of qualified counselors and associates to support these initiatives.

Gatchalian called on the Department of Education to speed up the recruitment of school counselor associates. He emphasised their role in addressing school violence and guiding students toward positive behaviour. The allocated funds aim to ensure students’ mental and emotional well-being. The ₱2 billion allocation will cover the salaries of 10,000 new counselor associates. Their deployment is expected to strengthen mental health support in schools nationwide. The move aligns with legal requirements to improve student welfare and safety.