House Committee starts PHP6.793T 2026 budget deliberations

Today, the House Committee on Appropriations officially commenced deliberations on the proposed PHP6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman and other key officials from Finance and Planning departments presented macroeconomic assumptions at a hearing chaired by Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, where they answered questions from congressmen.

During the proceedings, independent lawmaker Rep. Toby Tiangco demanded that the committee revisit the 2025 budget report of the small committee and provide all House members with a copy of its signed report.

Rep. Suansing explained that the small committee operates under her panel and its report constitutes the House's version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), but she would take Tiangco’s request 'under consideration'.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez emphasized the importance of scrutinizing every expense to ensure it benefits the people, inviting civil society groups to join hearings and abolishing the traditional 'small committee' practice.

The 2026 National Expenditure Program includes significant funding increases for Education, Health, and Transportation but cuts in Public Works spending, with a focus on education, infrastructure, digitalization, health, and social services.