Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday hailed the enactment of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) as a genuine “People’s Budget,” as he vowed strict congressional oversight to ensure public funds are spent lawfully, efficiently, and without corruption.
The leader of the House of Representatives made the assurance after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law the P6.793-trillion national budget during a ceremony at Malacañang.
“The signing of the budget is not the end of our work. Simula pa lang ito. It is the start of oversight. Congress will make sure every peso is spent exactly as approved,” Dy said.
He described the 2026 GAA as an inclusive, transparent, and accountable budget that puts the Filipino people first, saying it reflects the administration’s commitment to ensure that public funds directly address the daily needs of its citizens.
“This is the People’s Budget. It is a budget that is open, accountable, and focused on improving lives—creating jobs, strengthening education, expanding health care, and ensuring food security,” Dy said.
“This reflects the President’s clear direction that public funds must be used responsibly and felt by the people.”
Dy noted that the 2026 budget delivers concrete gains across key social sectors, including substantial investments in education, health services, and social protection, while maintaining fiscal discipline to keep public finances stable.
He also underscored that the 2026 GAA introduced reforms and milestones never before implemented in the budget process, marking a turning point in how public funds are deliberated and approved.
For the first time, bicameral conference committee deliberations were livestreamed, allowing the public to witness budget discussions in real time. The traditional small committee was also replaced with the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSC), ensuring that all amendments were reviewed collectively, transparently, and fully on the record.
“These reforms opened the budget process to public scrutiny. Every step and every peso can now be explained and defended before the Filipino people.”
Dy pointed out that education is at the heart of the People’s Budget, noting that the 2026 GAA carries the highest education allocation in Philippine history, totaling ₱1.34 trillion. This marks the first time the country has breached the 4 percent international benchmark for education spending.
He also reiterated that for the first time since its passage in 2017, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program will now be fully funded, benefiting 2.4 million students in over 100 state universities and colleges across the country.
According to the Isabela lawmaker, “the historic amounts allocated for education is an investment in the Filipino youth—an investment in the future of the Filipino nation.”
Public health will also receive a much-needed boost in the 2026 GAA, with total health sector funding at a record ₱448.12 billion in order to expand PhilHealth benefits and fully support zero-balance billing for indigent patients in government hospitals.
The Speaker said Congress will work closely with the Executive Branch to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of the budget, while firmly exercising its constitutional duty of oversight.
“There will be zero tolerance for corruption. No leakages, no shortcuts, and no excuses. Ang pera ng bayan ay dapat magamit para sa taumbayan,” he stressed.
Dy joined the President onstage at the signing ceremony accompanied by members of the House leadership. With him were Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Appropriations Committee Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing, and Senior Appropriations Vice Chairperson Albert Garcia.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Loren Legarda, as well members of the Cabinet—including Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo—also joined them onstage. ###
