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Legislators

House of Representatives Receives 2026 National Expenditure Program, Announces Reforms to Enhance Transparency and Public Participation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The House of Representatives has received the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) worth P6.793 trillion, a 7.4% increase from the current year's budget. The leadership of the lower chamber has announced several reforms to enhance transparency and public participation in the budget process, including abolishing the 'small committee' that consolidated institutional amendments after budget approval and opening House-Senate conference committee meetings on the budget to the public and media.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2026 NEP is worth P6.793 trillion, a 7.4% increase from the current year's budget of P6.326 trillion.
  • The reforms announced by the House leadership aim to enhance transparency and public participation in the budget process, including abolishing the 'small committee' and opening House-Senate conference committee meetings to the public and media.
  • The House will implement reforms such as strengthening its oversight function by requiring timely reports from agencies and enabling real-time tracking of major projects.
  • Budget hearings will start earlier than usual, beginning with the Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC) deliberations on August 18.
  • The House will focus on investments in agriculture for food security, infrastructure for connectivity and jobs, education, healthcare, and defense and disaster preparedness.
  • The 2026 NEP is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s long-term vision for a Bagong Pilipinas.

Statistics:

  • The 2026 NEP is worth P6.793 trillion, a 7.4% increase from the current year's budget of P6.326 trillion.
  • The budget process will require a more thorough deliberation period, with the Senate Committee on Finance agreeing to adjust the legislative calendar to give lawmakers more time to study the NEP.
  • Under the revised schedule, the October adjournment will be moved from the 3rd to the 11th, with extended sessions ahead of Christmas and summer breaks.

Sources:

  • President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (statement)
  • Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (statement)
  • House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mika Suansing (statement)
  • House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos (House Concurrent Resolution No. 4)
  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (statement)

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