As the Senate resumes plenary debates on the 2026 national budget, Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the spending plan as fiscally sound and socially responsive, highlighting the historic ₱1.38 trillion earmarked for education — the largest share in the country’s history.
Healthcare is also a key focus, with funding for the Zero Balance Billing Program rising from ₱53.3 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ₱62.6 billion in the Senate’s version, making quality healthcare more accessible.
₱101.8 billion will be allocated to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), expanding coverage to around 500,000 new near-poor households. The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens was increased by ₱8.2 billion to cover 663,000 waitlisted beneficiaries, while the Supplementary Feeding Program was boosted to benefit more than 1.8 million children under five years old.
For 2.3 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the AKSYON Fund under the Department of Migrant Workers was doubled to ₱2.4 billion, up from ₱1.2 billion in the Lower House’s version.
The budget also strengthens agriculture with an additional ₱500 million for the establishment of Food Hubs, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers and retailers to boost their livelihoods.
“We have analyzed the budget down to the last detail to come up with policies that are fiscally sound, socially responsive, and humane,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Finance Committee.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saw its budget cut by ₱55.91 billion following the discovery of red flags in several infrastructure projects. “We are committed to restoring what has been lost –leadership, accountability, and transparency,” Gatchalian said, pointing out that these past lapses were fueled by widespread corruption.
“Dahil hindi lang nakasalalay sa mga tulay, daan, at gusali ang pag-unlad, mahalaga rin ang seguridad ng ating mga komunidad,” Gatchalian said, noting that the defense sector is allocated ₱385.97 billion, the highest defense allocation in the country’s history.
Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN
