President Marcos Presents 2026 National Budget Proposal
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is set to submit the President’s proposed 2026 national budget to Congress today, August 13, marking the official start of deliberations on next year’s spending plan. This submission initiates the months-long process before a new spending law is enacted.
The Constitution mandates the President to present a budget of expenditures and financing sources within 30 days after the opening of each regular session of Congress. The 20th Congress began its first regular session on July 28, setting the deadline for submission.
Details of the 2026 National Expenditure Program
During a formal ceremony at Malacañang on August 12, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman handed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which proposes a total budget of ₱6.793 trillion. This figure represents a 7.4% increase compared to the enacted 2025 budget of ₱6.326 trillion, officials reported.
Initially, budget requests reached ₱10.101 trillion, but the DBM trimmed them down due to limited fiscal space, sources said. The theme for the proposed budget is “Agenda for Prosperity: Nurturing Future-Ready Generations to Achieve the Full Potential of the Nation.” It aims to build on the foundations set by the Marcos administration over the past three years.
Priorities Anchored on National Development Plan
The 2026 budget remains aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, focusing on essential sectors that uphold citizens’ fundamental rights. Key priorities include ensuring quality and accessible education, strengthening healthcare systems, expanding social protection programs, and securing food availability.
Malacañang emphasized that the budget reflects the administration’s dedication to improving education quality and the overall well-being of Filipinos. President Marcos highlighted that beyond driving economic growth, the 2026 budget must uplift the quality of life for all citizens, community members noted.
Congressional Role and Budget Approval Process
The NEP serves as the foundation for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) that Congress deliberates on. Once passed and signed by the President, it becomes the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The House of Representatives, where appropriation measures originate, may amend, reallocate, increase, or reduce budget items within the total expenditure ceiling proposed by the President, local leaders explained.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos declared he will reject any GAA not aligned with the administration’s priority programs or that tolerates fund misuse. He warned that misaligned spending bills could force the government to operate under a reenacted budget, which means continuing last year’s allocations.
Risk of Reenacted Budget and Its Implications
President Marcos stated, “For the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program.” He added, “I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget. I will not approve any budget that is not aligned with the government’s plan for the Filipino people.”
A reenacted budget occurs when Congress fails to pass a new budget before the fiscal year begins, forcing the government to operate on the previous year’s spending plan. Since 2000, this has happened five times, mostly during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The Duterte administration also operated under a reenacted budget for the first four months of 2019 due to delayed approval.
Critics have long warned that reenacted budgets risk irregular spending and reduce transparency, officials noted.
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