THE House of Representatives has significantly increased funding for the agriculture sector in its version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), allocating a total of ₱292.9 billion to bolster support for farmers and fisherfolk, improve rural infrastructure, and expand farm mechanization.
House Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing announced on Saturday that the House added ₱53.8 billion to the agriculture cluster, underscoring the chamber’s commitment to enhancing food security and promoting rural development.
“Of this amount, ₱10 billion is provided for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk, which is expected to benefit around 1.43 million farmers and fisherfolk,” Suansing stated at the start of the bicameral budget deliberations.
A substantial portion of the additional funding is earmarked for agricultural infrastructure. With the House adding ₱35.5 billion, total funding for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads and irrigation systems will reach ₱74.5 billion under the House version of the GAB, she said.
The House version of the budget also allocates ₱30 billion under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for farm mechanization and the provision of other production inputs aimed at increasing productivity and lowering production costs.
In addition, the House provided ₱1 billion for crop insurance to protect farmers against losses, ₱2.4 billion for the construction of deep-water ports to strengthen agricultural logistics, and ₱200 million for the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
“All of this is to help our heroic farmers lower their costs and increase their yields and income,” Suansing said.
The House emphasized that the agriculture allocations in its version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill are designed to reduce input costs, improve market access, and strengthen the resilience of the agriculture sector.
As bicameral deliberations continue, the House panel has pledged to collaborate with the Senate to ensure that the final 2026 national budget retains these critical agriculture investments and delivers tangible benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and the country’s overall food system.
