Metro Manila, Philippines – Lawmakers leading the bicameral conference committee for the proposed P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 approved the report for the reconciled version of the budget bill on Sunday, Dec. 28.
House appropriations committee chairperson Mikaela Suansing and Senate finance committee chairperson Win Gatchalian led their respective contingents in signing the committee report at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Suansing, who represents Nueva Ecija’s 1st District, said they ensured that the spending plan was a “people-centered budget,” with the process being transparent and accountable to the people.
“Ginawa namin ang lahat para siguraduhin na ang ating budget para sa taong 2026 ay tunay na mapagkakatiwalaan ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.
[Translation: We made sure to do everything we can so that the 2026 budget can be trusted fully by our countrymen.]
Gatchalian also said the 2026 budget focused on human development, particularly improving the sectors of education, health, and agriculture.
With this, both the House of Representatives and Senate are set to ratify the 2026 General Appropriations Bill on Monday, Dec. 29, before transmitting the enrolled bill to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature.
Malacañang earlier confirmed that Marcos will sign the proposed national budget on Jan. 5, resulting in a reenacted budget in the first few days of 2026.
The delay came after lawmakers were deadlocked on the substantial cuts in the Department of Public Works and Highways budget, stretching the bicam meetings to six days.
This year was the first time that the bicameral conference committee livestreamed its deliberations in finalizing the proposed national budget.
Some of the bicam-approved budget increases were for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program and the implementation of farm-to-market roads.
