Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a tighter review of the proposed 2027 national budget, directing government agencies to prioritize projects that can be implemented immediately and deliver tangible benefits to the public.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the review of the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is continuing after the Cabinet discussed the spending plan on Friday, July 10, as the administration works to finalize the proposal before submitting it to Congress.
Recto said the president wants government spending focused on programs that directly benefit the people and are aligned with the administration’s priorities and the national development plan.
He also reminded agencies that only projects that are ready for implementation and free from major bottlenecks should have priority.
During the July 9 Cabinet meeting, Budget Secretary Kim de Leon presented the highlights of the proposed 2027 NEP, which was submitted to the president for review.
The palace has yet to disclose the amount of the 2027 budget. Earlier, the Department of Budget and Management proposed a P7.2-trillion NEP, about 6 percent higher than the 2026 national budget, to support infrastructure, social services and other priority programs.
The NEP will serve as the basis for the 2027 General Appropriations Bill, which the president is expected to transmit to Congress.
