SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday made history in the fight for a more open and accountable government by turning over copies of the P6.793-trillion 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs).
For the first time, groups representing ordinary Filipinos will be inside the budget process from day one—watching, listening, and speaking for their communities.
“This is not just about documents—it’s about trust,” Romualdez said. “The budget is the lifeblood of government. It tells our people where we are putting their hopes and their hard-earned taxes. If we want our people to trust us, they must see and feel that the budget is truly theirs.”
The ceremonial turnover, held at the Social Hall of the House of Representatives, follows the unanimous approval of House Resolution No. 94, which institutionalizes the participation of people’s organizations as non-voting observers in House budget deliberations. The resolution was authored by Speaker Romualdez along with Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
CSO leaders hailed the move as a breakthrough for public participation. “Opening the budget process from the Legislative side is a big milestone,” said Maxine Tanya Hamada of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, speaking for the group.
“We represent people, communities, and issues. Knowing we are working together under the 20th Congress is something we take very seriously.”
Among the CSOs represented during the event included Social Watch, CODE-NGO, Jesse Robredo Institute of Governance, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, Child Rights Network, Parents Against Vape, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Multiply-Ed Philippines, FOI Youth Initiative, Safe Travel PH, REID Foundation, People’s Budget Coalition/Citizen’s Budget Tracker, and Novalerto Youth.
Earlier in the day, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman handed over the NEP to the House through Speaker Romualdez.
The Speaker then outlined reforms to ensure the budget’s passage and execution will be “fully open to public scrutiny” this year:
• Removing the “small committee” that previously finalized changes behind closed doors
• Opening the House-Senate bicameral conference on the budget to the public and the media
• Inviting civil society, people’s organizations, and the private sector to budget hearings
• Strengthening the House’s oversight of budget execution• Prioritizing investments that truly change people’s lives
Romualdez stressed that these changes are meant to make the budget work for the people in real, measurable ways.
“In the coming weeks, we will review every page of this NEP guided by one question: Makakabuti ba ito sa ating mga kababayan? If yes, we will support it. If not, we will work to make it better,” he said.
“Bawat piso, may pinaglalaanan; bawat gastusin, dapat may pakinabang sa tao. Because a budget the people can trust is a government the people can believe in.”
