With 17 affirmative votes, no negative votes and zero abstention, the Senate on Tuesday, December 9 approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 4058, which contains the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026. 

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance said the Senate’s approved version is a people-centered budget that champions transparency and accountability.

According to Gatchalian, the Upper Chamber’s version is essentially an education budget, having a total allotment of P1.37-trillion for the sector, accounting for the 4.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Gatchalian said next year’s budget also highlights efforts to strengthen the Department of Health’s (DOH) zero balance billing program for DOH-run hospitals. 

It also highlights stronger disaster recovery in communities with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (NDRRMF) increased significantly by P15.33-billion to accelerate recovery efforts, provide shelter and restore vital services in disaster-stricken areas.

Also, due to the controversies over ghost and substandard flood control projects, the Senate reduced the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget by P54.2-billion, based on recalibrated costing following President Marcos’ directive to bring down the cost of construction materials. 

All infrastructure projects under the 2026 national budget will also now have station numbers and specific coordinates as an added safeguard against corruption and other anomalies.

After the Senate’s approval, members of the chamber and the House of Representatives will now thresh out the different provisions of the budget in a bicameral conference committee meeting which will be held starting on Thursday, at Intramuros, Manila. 

Representatives to the bicam

Also, during the plenary session, Senate President Vicente Sotto III announced the senators who will be part of the bicameral conference committee meeting.

Gatchalian will lead the Senate contingent with Senators Mark Villar, Pia Cayetano, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, and Camille Villar from the Senate Majority bloc.

Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go and Imee Marcos will also join the contingent representing the Senate minority bloc.

In an interview, Sotto stood pat on the Senate’s decision to livestream the proceedings of the bicameral committee during the budget deliberation. 

“It’s open to the public. It’s important to let the public see who made the budget proposal, who were the lawmakers involved and what are the budget for the three most important agencies—DepEd, DOH and agriculture,” the Senate leader said.