Bicam approves final version of P6.793-T budget for 2026

The bicameral conference committee on Sunday approved and adopted the report on the disagreeing provisions of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which outlines the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.

Several lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives signed the GAB at the Philippine International Convention Center, where the marathon deliberations were held.

House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Mikaela Suansing described the proposed spending plan as a “people-centered budget,” emphasizing transparency and accountability in the budget process.

“What we want to call this budget is a people-centered budget. In terms of the process, we made sure it was transparent and accountable to the Filipino people, and in terms of the content, we focused on human capital development,” Suansing said.

She added that lawmakers worked extensively to ensure all disagreeing provisions were thoroughly discussed.

“We worked hard to make sure that the disagreeing provisions were discussed, leaving no stone unturned. We also wanted the public to see exactly how every peso of taxpayers’ money is allocated,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian thanked lawmakers from both chambers for their cooperation in finalizing the budget.

“Lahat po ay nagtulong-tulong, nagsunog ng kilay para po matapos itong ating pambansang budget (Everyone worked together and burned the midnight oil to finish our national budget),” he said. 

He noted that substantial allocations were made for education, health, and agriculture, which he said are crucial to economic development.

“Makikita natin na malaki po ang pondong inilagay natin sa edukasyon, kalusugan, at sa agrikultura. Dahil naniniwala kami na ang tatlong sektor na ito ay mahalaga sa pagpapaunlad ng atin pong ekonomiya,” Gatchalian added. 

(We allocated significant funds to education, health, and agriculture because we believe these sectors are vital to the development of our economy.)

The bicameral deliberations began on December 13 and concluded on December 18.

The process marked the first time that bicameral deliberations were livestreamed online, following congressional inquiries that revealed lawmakers’ insertions at the bicam level had funded questionable items, including alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The signed bicameral report will be ratified by both chambers of Congress on Monday, December 29.

“This reconciled version will be uploaded. Once it is ratified tomorrow, it will be immediately posted on the transparency portals,” Gatchalian said.

After ratification, the GAB will be transmitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signature, Gatchalian said.

Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the General Appropriations Act in the first week of January, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.—MCG, GMA Integrated News