House Formally Receives Proposed 2026 National Budget
MANILA — The House of Representatives has officially received the proposed 2026 national budget, totaling P6.793 trillion, from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This significant milestone sets the groundwork for detailed budget deliberations at the committee level.
During a formal event, House leaders including Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos accepted the National Expenditures Program (NEP) for 2026. The budget proposal was submitted by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman alongside other DBM officials.
Key Allocations in the Proposed 2026 National Budget
According to a briefing shared by the DBM, the largest portion of the proposed 2026 national budget will be allocated to education, receiving P928.5 billion. This is followed by public works at P881.3 billion and health services 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
Looking at broader sectors, social services will receive the largest share at P2.314 trillion. Economic services follow with P1.868 trillion, general public services with P1.202 trillion, debt servicing at P978.7 billion, and defense at P430.9 billion.
House Reforms and Budget Deliberation Timeline
Before the formal turnover, Speaker Romualdez emphasized several reforms the House plans to implement. These include abolishing small committees, opening bicameral conference committee sessions to the public, and enhancing transparency to allow closer examination of the NEP.
Officials reported that the DBM’s submission of the NEP marks the second-latest date for budget turnover since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office. Committee-level budget discussions are scheduled to begin by September 1, as stated by the House Committee on Appropriations chairperson, Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing.
As part of the reforms, civil society groups will be granted access to the NEP to foster greater public participation. Suansing assured that despite the reforms and timeline adjustments, the budget will be approved on time.
Legislative Calendar Adjustments to Support Budget Process
On Tuesday, the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 4, modifying the 20th Congress’ session schedule. The first session break is now set for October 11, 2025. Although the House has not publicly explained the change, the Senate passed a similar resolution aligning with this timetable.
During the Senate session, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva explained that this adjustment is necessary to ensure the timely submission, thorough deliberation, and approval of the General Appropriations Bill, which corresponds to the proposed national budget scrutinized by the House.
These coordinated changes show a commitment by both chambers to prioritize the budget process and enhance legislative oversight.
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