By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Shortly before Monday’s session adjourned to make way for the Christmas break, the House of Representatives ratified the report of the bicameral conference committee that reconciled disagreeing votes on House Bill No. 4058.
This move was complemented by the Senate’s ratification of the same document, bringing the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) closer to a formal transmission to the President for further review and approval.
The 2026 National Budget was earlier hailed by House Panel Chairperson and Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing and Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for being responsive to the needs of the populace.
In his ratification speech, House Speaker Faustino Dy III underscored major reforms in the rigorous deliberation process of the proposed P6.793 trillion funds for next year’s government operations.
“This budget is historic—not only because the process was transparent, but because the priorities were clear. It is a budget shaped by love for [the] country, a deep understanding of our people’s realities, and genuine compassion for our kababayan.”
Dy likewise hailed measures done to ensure that public funds are funneled towards projects and programs that resonate with the masses, ensuring that irregularities and insertions that plagued the 2025 national budget would not resurface in the government’s coffers for 2026.
With a focus on national development
At the same event, Gatchalian issued a speech underscoring the sectors touted by the administration as pivotal in bringing inclusive progress, thus being brought into the forefront of the thorough discussions that House Bill No. 4058 went through.
“We will see that the funds that we have invested in education, health, and agriculture are big because we believe that these three sectors are very important for the development of our country and for the development of our economy.”
He expounded his remarks by citing P1.35 trillion in funds allocated to education, with the equivalent of 4.1% gross domestic product (GDP) channeled through efforts to reduce classroom shortages, address malnutrition among learners, and ensure students have access to quality learning materials.
The health sector’s budget also got a healthy boost in the 2026 national budget, now pegged at P447.6 billion, a significant increase from P300 billion in 2025.
Majority of these funds will be allocated for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which would help to further improve various health programs by the Department of Health (DOH), most notably the YAKAP Caravan and the Zero Balance Billing initiative.
Gatchalian wrapped up his speech by noting the proposed P214.39 billion budget in the agriculture sector, which he touts as pivotal in supporting the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, thus contributing to better food security across the country.
jpv
