Executive submits P6.7-trillion 2026 budget plan to House
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Executive submitted to the House of Representatives the P6.7-trillion 2026 budget plan on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
In a ceremony at the Batasang Pambansa, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) turned over the National Expenditure Program for next year.
The proposal is 7.4 percent higher than the current P6.3 trillion, and equivalent to 22 percent of the economic output as measured by the gross domestic product.
The DBM said the original budget proposal totaled P10.10 trillion.
Lion’s share
The lion’s share, or P1.224 trillion, went to basic and higher education.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the amount complies with the lower 4 percent end of the recommended education spending of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
“This is because we are determined to deliver immediate action on child nutrition, address the education crisis, and support our youth so that they can find jobs and - more importantly - follow their dreams,” she said.
Budget debates on the education sector were controversial last year as funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned out higher than the Department of Education (DepEd).
Some lawmakers said the education sector budget was higher if allocations of other educational institutions would be merged.
DOH vs DPWH budget
Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendana slammed the DPWH budget of P881.3 billion, which was larger than funding for health.
The proposed Department of Health budget is P320 billion.
“Naloka naman ako sa 2026 budget! Nahiya ang budget ng health sa budget ng DPWH. Times three!” he said.
[Translation: I am shocked with the 2026 budget! The health budget is way below the DPWH’s. Times three!]
AKAP funding
Meanwhile, a targeted financial assistance program for below minimum wage earners has no allocation in the budget plan.
“May natitira pa pong pondo for 2025,” Pangandaman said of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). “Given our limited fiscal space, hindi pa po muna natin siya sinama.”
[Translation: There are still funds from 2025. Given our limited fiscal space, we did not include it.]
While the House has yet to discuss its position on the matter, appropriations committee chairperson Mika Suansing said the program was a big help to their constituents.
“We really see the value of AKAP,” she said. “Ang dami pong natulungan, especially those previously untapped or ‘yung hindi po naaabot ng AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) dati, lalo na po ‘yung near minimum income wage earners.”
[Translation: It helped a lot, especially those previously untapped or who were not listed as AICS beneficiaries, particularly near minimum income wage earners.]
AKAP was another controversial issue last year. The House allotted P39 billion but this was scrapped by the Senate. The bicameral conference committee, which reconciled differences in the two chambers’ budget bills, eventually agreed to allocate P26 billion for AKAP.
Budget debates
The House will review and deliberate the budget plan beginning Aug. 18 until Oct. 10.
Presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said the budget will be in line with administration programs.
“I will not allow a budget on the floor to pass that is not – that is a mutation of the NEP, that has become too far from the NEP,” the lawmaker said.
During his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will veto the 2026 budget that does not align with government priorities.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, reiterated the reforms in the budget process such as the removal of the small committee, publicizing the bicameral conference committee discussions, and the opening of the debates to the civil society organizations.
Romualdez added that oversight will be strengthened and investments that will “truly change lives” will be prioritized.
“In the coming weeks, we will review every page of this NEP guided by one question: ‘Makakabuti ba ito sa ating mga kababayan [Will this benefit our fellow Filipinos]?’ If yes, we will support it. If not, we will work to make it better,” the speaker said.
