The House Committee on Appropriations has approved the proposed ₱6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, clearing the way for plenary deliberations in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 4058, known as the 2026 National Budget Bill, passed the committee vote with 54 members in favor, six opposed, and four abstaining.
The budget proposal underwent significant changes before approval. The executive committee adopted amendments recommended by the Budget Amendments Review Sub-Committee, resulting in a major reallocation of funds.
A total of ₱255 billion originally earmarked for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was rechanneled to three critical sectors: education, health, and agriculture.
Under the amendment, the Department of Health (DOH) will receive an additional ₱89.281 billion, representing 34.9 percent of the realigned funds. The Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration were allocated an additional ₱44.367 billion. Meanwhile, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Philippine Science High School together secured ₱37.303 billion in added funding.
Lawmakers noted that these adjustments reflect priorities in education, agricultural development, and healthcare, while reducing allocations for infrastructure under the DPWH.
With committee approval completed, the budget measure now advances to the plenary, where debates and further scrutiny are expected before it proceeds to the Senate.
