House okays ₱6.793-trillion 2026 national budget; OVP funds maintained at ₱733 million

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the ₱6.793-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), or House Bill 4058, marking the completion of the lower chamber’s deliberations on next year’s proposed national budget.

The measure secured 287 affirmative votes, 12 negative votes, and two abstentions after nearly two months of plenary deliberations following the submission of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on August 13.

In the approved version, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) received a final allocation of ₱733.2 million, following a ₱156-million reduction from its initial proposal of ₱889.24 million. The adjustment represents a 17.5 percent decrease, keeping the OVP’s funding at the same level as its 2025 budget.

Lawmakers said the decision reflects the chamber’s reallocation strategy prioritizing key social sectors, including education, health, and agriculture, as part of efforts to strengthen essential public services. The reduction came after extensive review during the budget amendment phase to ensure equitable and transparent fund distribution.

The 2026 spending plan also scrapped ₱255 billion originally intended for flood control projects, redirecting ₱202 billion of that amount to priority programs aimed at improving social welfare and economic productivity.

House leaders emphasized that this year’s budget process highlighted reforms to promote accountability. The traditional “small committee” was replaced by the Budget Amendments Review Sub-Committee, which allowed public access to amendment proceedings through live-streams and consultations with civil society groups.

The ₱6.793-trillion national budget now advances to the Senate for further deliberations before submission to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for enactment into law before the year ends.