House Starts Deliberations on 2026 National Budget
MANILA — The House of Representatives has officially commenced deliberations on the P6.793 trillion proposed national budget for 2026. The discussions opened amid growing calls for enhanced transparency in the budget-making process, sources reported.
The House Committee on Appropriations, led by Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mikaela Suansing, convened to receive a briefing from the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). This committee includes officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the Office of the President.
Scrutinizing the National Expenditures Program
During the session, the DBCC was tasked to explain how they formulated the National Expenditures Program (NEP) and to provide details on the country’s financial standing, including its funding sources. Community members noted the significance of this process as the foundation for fiscal transparency.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez emphasized that the chamber has “opened its doors wider than ever before” to promote reforms aimed at budget transparency. “We ended the practice of the ‘small committee’. We welcomed civil society observers. Because the Filipino people deserve full transparency in how their hard-earned money is planned, allocated, and spent,” Romualdez said.
He added in Filipino, “If we have a clear process, we also have a clear trust from the people. And when the people show trust, the government will be stronger. Transparency is not an option — it is the cornerstone of democratic governance.”
Commitment to Thorough Review and Public Inclusion
Romualdez assured that the House will rigorously examine the 2026 NEP. “To our partners in the Executive Branch, allow me to be clear: we will scrutinize, we will question, we will deliberate thoroughly. But we will do so not as adversaries, but as allies united by a shared purpose,” he stated.
He further expressed, “For at the end of the day, at the heart of our collaboration lies a common goal: to deliver a better, more dignified life for every Filipino family. Let this DBCC be remembered not only for figures presented, but for the principles we upheld.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Suansing highlighted their dedication to placing Filipinos at the center of the budget process. “Our commitment is firm: In this budget and in the years to come, we are bringing the Filipino people back in the center of the budget process where you rightfully belong,” she said.
“Every peso of this budget comes from the blood and sweat of Filipinos, that’s why your Congress will deliberate intently in the coming months to ensure that every peso will be allocated towards the betterment of the people.”
Civil Society Monitors Budget Discussions
In a move fulfilling promised reforms, representatives from various civil society organizations attended the briefing to observe the budget discussions. This inclusion aims to enhance accountability and public trust throughout the budget-making process, officials reported.
Breakdown of the 2026 National Expenditures Program
The DBM submitted the 2026 NEP to the House on August 13. According to the department’s briefing, the largest portion of the proposed budget is allocated to education with P928.5 billion, followed by public works at P881.3 billion, and health at P320.5 billion.
Other major allocations include:
- Defense: P299.3 billion
- Interior and Local Government: P287.5 billion
- Agriculture: P239.2 billion
- Social Welfare: P277.0 billion
- Transportation: P198.6 billion
- Judiciary: P67.9 billion
- Labor and Employment: P55.2 billion
On a broader scale, social services receive the largest share of the budget at P2.314 trillion, followed by economic services at P1.868 trillion, general public services at P1.202 trillion, debt servicing at P978.7 billion, and defense at P430.9 billion.
For more news and updates on 2026 national budget, visit Filipinokami.com.
