THE House of Representatives ratified the conference committee report on House Bill (HB) 4058, the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), on Monday, December 29, 2025, paving the way for its formal transmission to the President for review and approval.
The ratification, achieved via viva voce vote, follows the bicameral conference committee’s efforts to harmonize differing versions of the bill. With both the House and Senate having ratified the document, the proposed 2026 budget is now poised for presidential approval, expected in the first week of January 2026.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III emphasized the significance of the GAB, stating, “Isa sa pinaka-mabigat ngunit pinakamahalagang tungkulin (na) ipinagkatiwala sa atin sa Saligang Batas – ang pagpasa ng pambansang budget,” (One of the most difficult but most important duties entrusted to us in the Constitution – the passage of the national budget).
Speaker Dy highlighted the 2026 proposed national budget as a pioneering piece of legislation due to its transparent process and clear priorities. “This budget is historic—not only because the process was transparent, but because the priorities were clear. It is a budget shaped by love for country, a deep understanding of our people’s realities, and genuine compassion for our kababayan.”
The 2026 GAB proposes P6.7 trillion to support government operations next year, with a significant focus on education, health, and agriculture. Notably, it is the first GAB to allocate funding to the education sector equivalent to 4.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), exceeding the international benchmark.
The increased funding for these priority sectors was made possible by reductions in the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following the recent flood control projects controversy.
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