Imagine a budget that has the power to shape the future of a nation—that's the core of what made the recent approval of the 2026 national budget truly stand out. But here's where it gets controversial: behind the scenes, key figures in the House of Representatives played pivotal roles in ensuring this crucial financial plan reached completion, showcasing leadership and dedication that deserve recognition. House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III specifically highlighted the significant contributions of Majority Leader Ilocos Norte’s 1st district Representative Sandro Marcos and Committee on Appropriations Chairperson, Nueva Ecija’s 1st district Representative Mikaela Angela "Mika" Suansing. These leaders were at the forefront of guiding the deliberations on the budget process, helping to navigate what was undeniably a complex and vital task.
During his speech before the Christmas holidays on Monday, December 22, Dy expressed appreciation for his colleagues in the 20th Congress, applauding their perseverance in completing another comprehensive budget process. He commended Marcos, who served as his trusted deputy in the majority, and Suansing, who led the House delegation through meticulous bicameral conference hearings for the P6.793 trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for the upcoming year.
Dy described this budget as historic, emphasizing not just its transparency but also its clear priorities. According to him, it is a budget driven by sincere love for the country—a recognition of the realities faced by Filipinos, coupled with genuine compassion. He pointed out that the House version of the budget delivers tangible benefits for everyday Filipinos, notably record-breaking allocations for education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Highlighting the significance of educational funding, Dy revealed that this year's allocation is the largest in Philippine history, totaling about 4.1% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This includes plans for over 25,000 classrooms for construction or renovation, as well as full funding reinstated for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program—an initiative aimed at ensuring higher education remains accessible and affordable. Dy reiterated that investing in education isn’t just about buildings or programs; it’s fundamentally an investment in the nation's future.
Regarding healthcare, Dy emphasized that the budget enhances support systems for public health. It strengthens the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and expands assistance through the Medical Assistance to Individuals and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program, which helps provide free or zero-balance billing for indigent patients in public hospitals.
He also underscored that agricultural funding has been increased to bolster farmers and fisherfolk—through improvements like farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, mechanization, crop insurance, and subsidies—aimed at empowering those who are vital to the country’s food security.
Dy poignantly summarized, "This budget isn’t just numbers on paper. It’s food on the table, medicine in hospitals, and education opening doors to a brighter tomorrow." It serves as a reminder that these allocations translate into real-life benefits for ordinary Filipinos—things that matter most in their daily lives.
The House of Representatives plans a brief reconvening on December 29 to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 GAB. Once ratified, the bill will be officially sent to Malacañang for the President's approval, closing another crucial chapter in the country’s legislative process.
