Senate majority leaders on Thursday welcomed the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, calling it the “most transparent” budget process in recent memory after four days of marathon talks conducted largely in public view.

The bicam committee adjourned at 2:22 a.m. after reconciling differences between the Senate and House versions of the spending plan. 

Senate leadership said the entire process — from committee briefings and plenary debates to bicameral deliberations — was livestreamed and archived, allowing the public to track discussions and scrutinize budget items in real time.

“This is the new normal we are building in the Senate: a budget process that people can watch, read and verify,” the Senate majority said, emphasizing that transparency was treated as policy rather than a slogan. 

“Transparency here is policy, not just a catchphrase.”

Leaders stressed there were no “midnight deals,” last-minute insertions or amendments made without public scrutiny, noting that all adjustments were discussed on record and supported by documentation accessible to auditors, civil society groups and the media.

“[No] amendments that escaped public scrutiny. Every adjustment was discussed on record, with paper trails that auditors, civil society and the media can check,” it added.

Education emerged as the biggest beneficiary in the 2026 budget, receiving P1.38 trillion — about 20 percent of total national spending and equivalent to 4.5 percent of gross domestic product. 

Senate majority said “is a clear push for learning recovery, better classrooms and stronger support for teachers."

Funding for health, food security and job generation was also protected through clearly documented line items and measurable targets, which lawmakers said would help ensure programs are “lean, purposeful and audit-ready from Day 1.”

“Public funds must translate to services families actually feel,” it said. 

On infrastructure spending, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the bicam committee opted for what senators described as “diligence over speed.”

Projects were reviewed line by line, with the panel requiring complete programs of work and supporting documents. 

“Yes, it took longer, but we are confident of the results: a lean, audit-ready DPWH budget with no room for padding or overpricing,” it said.

Using updated price data for construction materials and logistics, the committee cut project costs, freeing up P20.773 billion for reallocation.

Of the savings, P16.5 billion was redirected to PhilHealth, raising its 2026 budget to P53.26 billion and restoring its full share from sin tax revenues. 

Another P4.25 billion was allocated to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund to bolster resources for emergency response and disaster operations.

To further strengthen accountability, the Senate panel recommended the creation of an online transparency dashboard for farm-to-market roads and National Irrigation Administration projects, tighter safeguards, citizen participatory audits, and a shift away from lump-sum appropriations toward fully itemized project breakdowns.

The Senate leadership commended members of both chambers who served on the bicam committee for what it called a firm stand on openness and fiscal discipline, singling out Finance Committee Chair Sen. Win Gatchalian for steering a data-driven and transparent process.

“No budget is perfect, but a budget made in daylight is stronger,” the Senate majority said, pledging to continue livestreamed proceedings, published schedules and open bicam deliberations to boost public confidence in both the numbers and the process as the budget moves toward implementation.

“Maraming salamat to our colleagues, staff and stakeholders who did the hard work. Let us carry this momentum to implementation, keep the doors open to oversight, and deliver a budget that works for Filipino families on time and in full.”