The Philippines’ economic team has approved a ₱6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), which she chairs, made the decision after evaluating budget proposals totaling ₱10.101 trillion.
With limited fiscal space and a goal of reducing the budget deficit, Pangandaman said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) prioritized programs with high impact, aligned with national objectives, and ready for rollout. The agencies’ ability to efficiently use their funds was also considered.
The 2026 proposed budget marks a 7.4% increase from the 2025 budget of ₱6.326 trillion. Titled “Nurturing Future-Ready Generations to Achieve the Full Potential of the Nation,” the budget focuses on human capital development—especially in education, healthcare, and skills training.
It also continues to support infrastructure through the Build Better More program and digital transformation initiatives under the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.
Additional funding is aimed at improving climate resilience, social protection, and the devolution of services to local governments. The Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Program (TRIP) and Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) also received special attention.
Pangandaman said the 2026 National Expenditure Program will be submitted to Congress two weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, 2025.
As mandated by the Constitution, education remains the top priority in national spending.