THE House of Representatives on Monday, approved on Third and Final Reading, House Bill 4058 or the proposed P6.79-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), with 287 lawmakers voting in the affirmative, 12 negative votes and two abstentions, following budget deliberations that ran from August 18 to October 13.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the passage of the national budget signifies the House’s commitment to accountability and reform.
“Sa bawat yugto ng ating tungkulin sa bayan ay kailangan lagi nating tanungin sa ating mga sarili, para saan ba talaga ang pamahalaan? At kanino ba tayo naglilingkod?” he said.
He emphasized that the government’s sacred mandate is to ensure fair, transparent, and responsible distribution of resources and opportunities for all.
Speaker Dy also underscored that the approved budget mirrors the priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., particularly in education, health, agriculture, and social services.
“Sa ilalim ng budget na ito, tinugunan natin ang panawagan ng ating mahal na Pangulong BBM na palakasin ang mga pangunahing sektor ng ating lipunan,” he said.
He added that the education sector received P1.281 trillion, equivalent to 4.1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), marking the highest allocation in the country’s history.
Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing said that the 2026 GAB is “a budget that Congress can be proud of.”
She explained that P255.53 billion from flood control projects was reallocated to key social sectors, with P90.7 billion added for health and P53.7 billion for agriculture.
“Lahat po ito ay para matulungan ang ating mga bayaning magsasaka na bumaba ang kanilang gastusin at mapataas ang kanilang ani at kita,” Suansing said.
Dy also called on lawmakers to ensure transparency in budget execution.
“Ito ang ating panata, ang pera ng taong-bayan ay para sa taong-bayan. Bantayan pa rin natin ang bawat pisong pinagpaguran ng ating mamamayan upang ito ay tunay na mapakinabangan ng ating bayan,” he said.
He assured critics that the House remains open to feedback and committed to listening to the concerns of the public.
“Kung mayroon pa po kaming pagkukulang, sige lang po. Nandito lang po kami, handa po kaming makinig sa inyo. We’ll never stop listening, palaging bukas ang Kongreso para sa inyo,” he said.
Also approved on Third Reading were HB 4746 granting a franchise to Bohol Light Company, Inc., which garnered 279 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and two abstentions; HB 4757 or the “Sustainable Cities and Communities Act,” with 281 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and two abstentions; HB 4745 or the “Last Mile Schools Act,” with 285 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and two abstentions; and HB 4744 or the “Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act,” with 287 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and two abstentions.
The House will take a short break and is set to resume its session on November 10, 2025, at 3pm.
