National Expenditure Program 2026 (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has expressed full support for the proposal to livestream all congressional budget deliberations, saying the move will strengthen transparency and allow Filipinos to closely follow how public funds are allocated.
Speaking at the Quezon Educators’ Research Convention in Lucena City on Saturday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to ensure the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) aligns with the priorities of the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“As your Budget Secretary, I support the proposal to livestream and make accessible to the public all budget deliberations in Congress, the Senate, and even bicameral conference committee proceedings,” Pangandaman said. “This way, transparency will be strengthened and every Filipino can actively participate in monitoring our national budget.”
Pangandaman emphasized that increased transparency would empower citizens to keep track of how government funds are spent, while also echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for lawmakers to stick to the priorities outlined in the NEP.
“This is our 2026 National Expenditure Program or the President’s budget. It may change slightly, depending on the deliberations in Congress,” she noted.
The DBM recently submitted to both the Senate and the House of Representatives the proposed PHP6.793 trillion national budget for 2026. The figure is 7.4 percent higher than the enacted 2025 budget, with education, public works, and health set to remain the top sectors receiving the biggest allocations.
The NEP serves as the framework for Congress in crafting the General Appropriations Bill, which becomes the GAA once signed into law by the President.
If approved, the livestreaming measure would open the doors of budget discussions to the public, giving citizens a front-row seat to one of the most crucial processes in government.