Administration to seek Congress nod on ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026

Metro Manila, Philippines - The administration will submit to Congress a budget of ₱6.793 trillion for 2026 as approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Tuesday, July 15.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman presented the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang. The spending plan is 7.4 percent higher than the current outlay of ₱6.326 trillion, and equivalent to 22 percent of the country’s economic output.

The DBM said the initial proposal was ₱10.101 trillion.

Marcos will submit the NEP to Congress within 30 days after the opening of the regular session.

The proposed NEP will prioritize social services, particularly education, in line with the president’s directive, the Palace said.

Broken down into major components, the DBM said a substantial portion of the proposed budget will go to maintenance and other operating expenses at ₱2.639 trillion, followed by personnel services ₱1.908 trillion, capital outlays ₱1.296 trillion to support infrastructure projects, and financial expenses ₱950 billion.

The national government will allocate ₱4.305 trillion to various agencies, with local government units receiving ₱1.350 trillion, while government-owned or -controlled corporations will get ₱188.3 billion in subsidies, equity support, and net lending.

In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said, “This proposed budget reflects the administration's commitment to enhancing the quality of education and improving the lives of every Filipino.”

She said the president reminded the Cabinet that the budget should not merely be a tool for economic growth, but must also be a driver of human development.

NewsWatch Plus Lead Correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.