House of Representatives Passes 2026 National Budget

The House of Representatives has formally adjourned for its monthlong congressional break, marking a significant milestone in the approval of the 2026 national budget. Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III hailed the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 4058 as a "first step toward building a more transparent, accountable, and service-oriented Congress." The budget measure, worth P6.793 trillion, passed with a vote of 287-12-2, signaling a renewed commitment to public service and transparency in the chamber.

Key Takeaways:

• The House of Representatives has passed its version of the 2026 national budget, with a worth of P6.793 trillion, on third and final reading.
• Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III hailed the passage of the budget as a "first step toward building a more transparent, accountable, and service-oriented Congress."
• The budget will proceed to the next stages, including the bicameral conference committee, once Congress resumes on November 10.
• Appropriations committee chair Mikaela Suansing noted that this year's budget cycle was "unprecedented," with efforts to reform long-standing budget practices, including inviting civil society watchdogs as "nonvoting observers."
• The budget realigned P255 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways, removing funding for all locally funded flood control projects, with majority of it going to the education sector (+P56 billion).
• The education sector funding reached P1.28 trillion, the "highest ever in the history of our country," according to Suansing.
• Speaker Dy emphasized that the budget was made in the light, not in the dark, and has been studied sufficiently, with the goal of ensuring that every penny of the tax paid by citizens is given back to them in the form of opportunities, services, and hope.

Statistics:

• P6.793 trillion: the worth of the 2026 national budget passed by the House of Representatives.
• 287-12-2: the vote count in favor of the budget measure.
• P255 billion: the amount cut from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
• +P56 billion: the additional funding allocated to the education sector.
• P1.28 trillion: the total funding for the education sector, the "highest ever in the history of our country," according to Suansing.

Sources:

• [1] Philippine House of Representatives. (2023, October 31). Speaker Dy hails House passage of 2026 budget as 'first step towards transparent and accountable Congress'. *The Manila Times*
• [2] Dela Cruz, R. (2023, October 31). House passes P6.793T budget for 2026. *Philippine Daily Inquirer*