Manila City Council approves P25-B budget for 2026
Published Nov 3, 2025 02:01 pm
Members of the 13th Manila City Council, led by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, pose for a photo following the approval of the P25-billion Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 on October 30 at the Manila City Hall. (Photo courtesy of the Manila City Council)
The 13th City Council of Manila, led by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, has approved the city’s P25-billion executive budget for fiscal year 2026, reaffirming its commitment to social services, transparency, and accountable governance.
The approval came during a regular session on Thursday, October 30.
A total of 26 council members voted in favor of passing Draft Ordinance No. 8970, which allocates funds from the city’s General Fund for programs and projects under the Executive Budget.
According to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso, the budget focused on addressing residents’ Minimum Basic Needs (MBN), healthcare, housing, education, and job creation.
The budget breakdown includes:
- P6.79 billion for personnel services
- P10.92 billion for maintenance and operating expenses
- P107 million for capital outlay
- P2.47 billion for budgetary requirements
- P4.68 billion for statutory and contractual obligations
The Manila Health Department and seven city hospitals will receive the largest share, P2.39 billion, to improve operations and medical services.
Programs for senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, and students remain a priority, including milk supplements, social aid, and educational allowances.
Domagoso also reported that the city has settled over 31 percent of past obligations and pledged to clear remaining debts from 2022–2025.
Despite a P7-billion fiscal deficit, he expressed confidence in achieving full financial recovery within three to four years through fiscal discipline and people-centered spending.
The budget deliberations were steered by Hon. Timothy Oliver “Tol” Zarcal, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, who emphasized that the process was open to the public and conducted with full transparency.
“Wala po tayong tinatago. Wala po tayong kinukubli. Wala po tayong babawasan sa nararapat sa taumbayan (We are hiding nothing. We are concealing nothing. We will not take away anything that rightfully belongs to the people),” Zarcal said, assuring residents that every peso in the budget was scrutinized to meet the needs of Manila’s citizens.
He noted that the budget prioritizes the city’s minimum basic needs, including housing, health, education, and employment—alongside public safety and economic recovery initiatives.
“In a time of great uncertainty across the nation, as we always say here in the City of Manila: ‘Where Manila goes, the country follows.’ Let us serve as an example to all LGUs across the country,” Zarcal added.
Councilor Atty. Jaybee Hizon also expressed his support for the budget’s passage, calling it the product of “extensive hearings which were open to all,” and underscoring the council’s shared commitment to transparent governance.
Other councilors echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the approved budget reflects the city’s direction toward improved welfare services and stronger accountability.
“This budget represents our dedication to serve the people of Manila, ensuring that every program directly benefits our citizens,” Atienza said, thanking her colleagues for their diligence throughout the deliberations.
With the approval of the P25-billion fiscal plan, the 13th City Council of Manila reiterated its guiding principle: “Where Manila goes, the country follows.”
The council expressed hope that its transparent and socially driven governance will serve as a model for other local governments nationwide.