The Senate has approved the proposed 2026 national budget, which Senator Sherwin Gatchalian described as people-centered and anchored on transparency and accountability.
Education gets the biggest share at P1.37 trillion, or 4.5% of GDP. The budget also boosts Department of Health’s Zero Balance Billing program to expand free medical services.
Disaster recovery funds were raised by P15.33 billion to speed up rehabilitation and restore essential services in affected areas.
Amid issues over ghost and substandard flood control projects, the Senate slashed the Department of Public Works and Highways budget by P54.2 billion after recalibrating project costs following the President’s directive.
Gatchalian said reforms now require station numbers and exact coordinates for all infrastructure projects to guard against corruption and fake projects.IMT
