Bicam panel signs 2026 national budget report focused on ‘human development’

The bicameral conference committee of Congress signed the report on the proposed 2026 national budget on Sunday, 28 December, with lawmakers underscoring that the spending plan is anchored in “human development,” particularly in education, health, and agriculture.

Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian said the focus on these three sectors reflects their critical role in national development and economic growth.

“Because we believe that these three sectors are significant to national development and to improving our economy, Gatchalian said in Filipino.

Gatchalian also explained the slight delay in the signing of the bicameral report, citing efforts to improve transparency and clarity in the budget process.

“We made many adjustments to ensure that the crafting of the national budget is more transparent, clearer, and easier for Filipinos to understand, because we want to restore the people’s trust in government,” he said, adding that restoring trust begins with the proper, transparent, and clear drafting of the national budget.

Gatchalian said this was the first time lawmakers were shown a printed copy of the reconciled enrolled budget before ratification. 

He added the document would be uploaded to the transparency portals after approval the following day.

The bicameral conference committee finalized its report after members of the House of Representatives and the Senate reconciled disagreeing provisions in their respective versions of the spending measure.

The bicam report is set to be ratified separately by both chambers on Monday, 29 December, after which the proposed P2026 national budget will be transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature.

People-centered, product of reform

House Appropriations Committee Rep. Mikaela Suansing touted this year’s bicameral deliberations, saying it marks a milestone in transparency, as the proceedings were livestreamed for the first time amid increasing calls for openness in the budget process.

Suansing said the budget process this year was deliberately designed to be more transparent and accountable, describing it described it as “people-centered and a product of reforms.”

“This budget was painstakingly crafted by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and we did everything to ensure it is transparent and accountable,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Gatchalian stressed that the public broadcast allowed Filipinos to observe negotiations that were traditionally held behind closed doors.

During the series of budget deliberations, several government agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Agriculture, made last-minute appeals for additional funding. 

These discussions were openly aired as part of the livestreamed sessions.

Among the provisions approved by the bicameral panel was an increased allocation for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. The move, however, has drawn criticism from some sectors who argue that the program could be susceptible to patronage politics.

The committee also approved P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations for the Marcos administration. 

These standby funds can only be utilized once specific revenue conditions are met, but have faced criticism for allegedly enabling discretionary spending by both Congress and the executive branch.

Earlier, Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the 2026 national budget in the first week of January. 

Until then, the government will operate under a reenacted budget at the start of the new year.

Call for continued vigilance

Amid the final bicam report, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said public vigilance over the 2026 national budget should continue even after its passage and signing into law.

He also emphasized that the proper implementation of the national budget will be the next major challenge.

Lacson said that while religious groups and civil society organizations closely monitored the bicameral deliberations on the 2026 spending measure, their attention must now shift to how the executive branch implements and spends public funds next year.

“The same vigilance shown by the public led by the Catholic Church, religious groups, and civil society organizations must be maintained in watching over the budget’s implementation,” he said in a radio interview on Sunday. 

Earlier, Lacson said the Senate included several general and special provisions in the 2026 budget to serve as safeguards during its implementation. These measures include a ban on guarantee letters and any form of political branding, or “epal,” in the distribution of government assistance.

He added that the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program must be implemented strictly under the Universal Health Care law.

Lacson also noted that the Senate required monthly oversight of infrastructure and farm-to-market road projects, including the use of grid coordinates, to facilitate easier monitoring by the media and the public.

He stressed that these safeguards will only be effective if citizens remain vigilant and actively report irregularities, emphasizing that the success of the 2026 budget will ultimately rely on transparent and honest implementation.