National budget must be felt in everyday lives of Filipinos –Suansing

THE proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 must go beyond figures on paper and translate into better healthcare, education, jobs and infrastructure that Filipino families can actually feel in their everyday lives.

This was stressed on Monday by House Committee on Appropriations Chair Rep. Mika Suansing as the House of Representatives began its scrutiny of the spending proposal at the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing.

According to the House leader, lawmakers would focus on ensuring that public funds produce concrete benefits for the people.

“Sisiguraduhin po ng inyong Kongreso na ang PhP 7.2 trillion na budget ng ating bansa ay hindi lang mananatili sa papel, kundi mararamdaman sa araw-araw na buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Suansing said.

“Makikita po ninyo ito: mas maginhawang pagpapagamot, mas dekalidad na edukasyon at mas maayos na mga silid-aralan, mas maraming mga trabaho, at mas magagandang mga kalsada para sa mga magsasaka upang mas mapadali ang pagdala ng mga produkto sa merkado.”

Suansing said the House affirms the framework laid out by the DBCC in crafting the 2027 national budget, which is anchored on the administration’s theme of “People-Centered Growth for an Inclusive and Resilient Future.”

“We affirm the framework laid out by the DBCC in crafting the 2027 National Budget. In this budget, that means prioritizing investments in quality education, healthcare and workforce upskilling,” she said.

The Appropriations Chair stressed that putting people at the center of the budget means ensuring that government spending ultimately translates into services and opportunities that improve their quality of life.

She said this principle would guide the House as lawmakers examine the proposed appropriations in the coming months.

“Ang bawat piso ng budget na ito ay galing sa dugo at pawis ng mga Pilipino, kaya magiging masusi po ang deliberasyon ng inyong Kongreso sa mga darating na buwan upang siguraduhin na ang bawat piso ay ilalaan sa mga programang inyong mararamdaman – na ito ay tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan at ng ating bansa.”