Manila, Philippines — December 4, 2025
The Senate has approved on second reading the proposed ₱6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, moving a step closer to final approval.
Following extensive interpellations by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) was passed on second reading just before 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 4.
Senators are targeting the third and final reading of the budget on December 9. After its approval, bicameral deliberations with the House of Representatives are scheduled for next week to reconcile any differences between the two chambers.
Several amendments were made to the proposed national budget, including reductions in Foreign Assisted Projects, an increase in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, and the restoration of the 4Ps Program funding to ₱11.17 billion, in line with the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Once fully approved, the 2026 budget aims to fund key government programs and priorities while supporting economic recovery, disaster preparedness, and social protection initiatives across the country.