The House of Representatives contingent said it will proceed with the third day of bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget on Monday.
House Appropriations Committee chairperson and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing confirmed she was en route to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where the bicam is scheduled.
Suansing said at least five members of the House contingent were already at the PICC Summit Hall ahead of Monday’s session.
She emphasized that the House intends to adhere to the bicam schedule despite reports that the Senate requested a suspension of discussions.
Suansing admitted the House cannot technically hold the bicam without the Senate contingent but stressed the House’s commitment to move forward.
The bicam hit a snag after Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon raised concerns about the Senate’s allegedly incorrect cost-reduction calculations for over 10,000 infrastructure projects.
Dizon proposed adopting the DPWH budget from the House’s General Appropriations Bill and letting the department implement material cost reductions independently.
He cited examples of asphalt overlay projects in Region IV-B and Central Visayas where Senate cuts led to underfunding due to misapplied adjustment factors.
The second day of bicam meetings ended without resolution, with Suansing moving to suspend the session at 8:14 p.m. and lawmakers caucusing for over two hours.
The bicam resumed briefly at 10:33 p.m. before suspending again, now scheduled to continue Monday at 4:00 p.m.
