By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President gave the green light on the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) during a Cabinet meeting and stressed that the budget will prioritize both economic growth and improve the lives of the Filipino people.
“Sa ilalim ng Marcos administration, mahalaga ang kapakanan ng bawat isa at ang kinabukasan ng taumbayan tungo sa mas progresibo at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas,” Castro added.
In a statement, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sec. Amenah Pangandaman said the 2026 NEP will prioritize the social services sector, especially education, following the President’s directives during the Cabinet meeting.
According to Pangandaman, the proposed national spending plan includes:
- P2.639 trillion for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) to fund the implementation of various government programs and projects.
- P1.908 trillion for Personnel Services (PS) expenditures to fund salaries and other PS benefits of government workers
- P1.296 trillion for Capital Outlays to fund priority infrastructure projects
- P950 billion for Financial Expenses
“The President himself sat down with the different agencies to ensure that all our priorities are aligned towards our common goal of achieving our vision of a Bagong Pilipinas,” Pangandaman said.
The NEP will be submitted to Congress within 30 days after the opening of the regular session on July 28, which is also the President’s State of the Nation Address.
The enacted 2025 General Appropriations Act signed by Marcos on Dec. 30, 2024 set the national budget for the year at P6.326 trillion after the President vetoed some line items under the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as those allocated to unprogrammed appropriations.
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