PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the P6.79-trillion national budget for 2026, vetoing nearly P92.5 billion worth of projects listed under unprogrammed appropriations (UA).
Unprogrammed items are designed to be implemented only if revenue targets are exceeded or new foreign funds are secured, but lawmakers earlier flagged the UA after it reportedly grew to more than P200 billion.
Under the signed General Appropriations Act (GAA), Marcos retained only three UA items: P97.30 billion for support to foreign-assisted projects, P3.6 billion for the risk management program, and P50 billion for the revised AFP modernization program.
In his signing speech, Marcos stressed that “unprogrammed appropriations are not blank checks,” adding that their release is subject to strict conditions.
“My administration will enforce these safeguards without exception to serve public interest and advance our national development goals,” he said.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the 2026 budget reflects a shift toward people-centered development, with education again receiving the largest share at P1.345 trillion, or 4.36 percent of GDP. The allocation will fund new teaching and non-teaching positions and the construction of nearly 25,000 classrooms nationwide.
Health spending reached a record P448.125 billion to support universal health care, disease prevention, and the hiring of more medical workers. Agriculture was allotted P297.102 billion to boost food security, while P270.18 billion was set aside for social services and P15.33 billion for disaster rehabilitation. Funds for local government units were also increased.
DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo said Malacañang received the final budget bill on December 29, 2025 and reviewed it carefully.
“The Executive received the enrolled bill on December 29, 2025 and conducted a thorough and careful review of the proposed budget to ensure consistency with the administration’s priorities and taking into consideration valuable recommendations from stakeholders,” he said.
The budget’s approval comes amid continued scrutiny of the administration over alleged corruption involving substandard and non-existent flood control projects.
Marcos directed agencies to manage funds responsibly and maintain public service delivery.
“Magtratrabaho ang administrasyong ito upang mapabuti ang sistema, mapalakas ang pananagutan at matuldukan ang katiwalian,” he said.
“Sa lahat ng adhikaing ito, dalangin ko na maging katuwang namin ang bawat mamamayang Pilipino. Ang pagbabantay, pagtatanong, ang pag-uulat at pakikilahok sa mahahalagang bahagi ng isang gumaganag demokrasya.”