MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) on Monday (Jan 5) signed into law the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.
Marcos vetoed P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations.
“The year 2025 tested our nation on many fronts. We experienced climate-related disruptions, earthquakes, economic uncertainty, and the exposure of widespread corruption within our system,” he said in his speech after signing the budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314.
“These challenges are painful, but they also made one thing clear: Real change could no longer wait,” he continued.
As mandated by the 1987 Constitution, the education sector received the highest allocation, P1.345 trillion, funding the creation of 32,916 teaching and 32,268 non-teaching plantilla positions in public schools. The budget will also support the construction of 24,964 classrooms nationwide.
The healthcare sector received its highest budget ever, P448.125 billion, to fund the Department of Health’s Universal Health Care Fund for Zero Balance Billing, interventions for communicable and non-communicable diseases, and disease surveillance, among others.
“This budget further strengthens PhilHealth with nearly P129.8 billion, including the P60 billion directed to be restored, aligned with the decision of the Supreme Court. These funds shall support preventive healthcare and the improvement of PhilHealth benefit packages, lowering the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipino families,” Marcos said.
A total of P297.102 billion was allocated to the agriculture sector to ensure food security, modernize supply systems, and support farmers and fisherfolk. Marcos said investments will also go toward building Farm-to-Market Roads to lower production costs and empower rural economies.
The social services sector received P270.189 billion to improve the quality of life of Filipinos and advance human capital development.
“Through our responsive and rationalized flagship programMEs, this budget aims to steer us towards achieving a single-digit poverty rate by 2028,” Marcos said.
“The 2026 National Budget also supports the implementation of the updated base pay schedule and increased subsistence allowance of military and uniformed personnel. This underscores our commitment to uphold the welfare of the men and women who safeguard our nation,” he added.
Marcos also said the government will strengthen the role of local government units through the increased allocations under the Local Government Support Fund. It will allow them to address local development needs, support livelihoods, and create safe and resilient communities.
The 2026 budget also supports the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund with P15.33 billion.
The signing was initially scheduled before the end of 2025, but did not push through due to changes in the legislative calendar and the need for a more extensive assessment.
This year marks the first time since Marcos assumed office that the country has operated under a reenacted budget.
The last time the government operated under a reenacted budget was in 2019, when former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the General Appropriations Bill into law in April. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
