House to scrutinize 2027 budget, ensure every peso delivers for Filipinos — Speaker Dy

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Tuesday vowed that the House of Representatives will subject the proposed 2027 national budget to rigorous scrutiny to ensure that every peso delivers concrete benefits to the Filipino people.

As the House formally received the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the Speaker said lawmakers would keep Filipinos at the center of the budget process, guided by the government’s theme of “People-Centered Growth for an Inclusive and Resilient Future.”

“Hindi sapat na sabihin kung magkano ang ginagastos. Dapat maipakita kung ano ang nagagawa ng bawat piso. Ang bawat piso ay dapat may katumbas na ginhawa para sa bawat Pilipino,” Dy said in his message during the NEP turnover ceremony.

“Sa Bagong Kongreso, masusi nating susuriin ang bawat bahagi ng panukala. Tatanungin natin ang mga ahensiya hindi lamang kung magkano ang kanilang hinihingi, kundi kung paano ito gagamitin at kung anong konkretong bunga ang maibibigay nito sa sambayanan.”

The Speaker said the proposed budget would be evaluated based on three fundamental questions: “saan mapupunta ang pondo, ano ang konkretong mababago nito, at paano ito mararamdaman ng ordinaryong Pilipino.”

Dy stressed that the national budget is more than a collection of figures and allocations, noting that behind every peso are Filipinos counting on the government for better services, greater opportunities, and an improved quality of life.

“Sapagkat ang budget na ito ay para sa pamilyang umaasang magiging mas abot-kaya ang presyo ng pagkain; sa magulang na nangangailangan ng maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan; sa batang nangangarap makapagtapos; sa magsasakang nangangailangan ng suporta; at sa manggagawang naghahangad ng disenteng trabaho at mas patas na pagkakataon,” he said.

“Sila ang dapat maging batayan ng ating mga prayoridad.”

The House chief noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his State of the Nation Address, laid down the government’s direction of strengthening the country’s security and self-reliance while ensuring that government services reach those who need them most.

From food and energy to education, healthcare, jobs, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, Dy said the proposed 2027 national budget would be one of the government’s most important instruments for turning these priorities into concrete action.

With the NEP now in Congress, the House chief said the House has the responsibility to ensure that these objectives are preserved throughout the deliberations and reflected in the final version of the General Appropriations Bill.

Dy likewise committed to keeping the congressional budget process open and transparent, building on reforms first introduced last year.

“Last year, we began implementing reforms such as the Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee, or BARSC, and introduced the live-streaming of our bicameral meetings,” he said.

“Ang budget ay pera ng taumbayan. May karapatan silang malaman kung saan ito mapupunta. Sisikapin po natin na maging mas bukas pa ang pagbubuo ng ating national budget.”

The Speaker also echoed the President’s call against waste, improper spending, and corruption, noting that every peso saved can instead be directed toward classrooms, hospitals, food, jobs, agriculture, and other services directly needed by Filipinos.

“Iyan ang ating pananagutan: tiyaking ang pondo ay may malinaw na layunin, ang mga programa ay may tunay na pakinabang, at ang bawat desisyon ay may positibong epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Dy said.

In the coming weeks, the Speaker said lawmakers would closely examine the NEP, question government agencies, listen to stakeholders, and keep the public informed throughout the process.

“Sa mga susunod na linggo, magiging masusi ang ating trabaho. Magtatanong tayo. Makikinig tayo. At sisiguraduhin nating malinaw sa publiko ang bawat hakbang ng prosesong ito,” he said.

Dy said the House would carry with it the challenge issued by President Marcos at the conclusion of his SONA: finish what the government has started and fulfill its promises to the Filipino people.

“Para sa Bagong Kongreso, iyan ang layunin ng 2027 budget—isalin ang mga pangako sa programa, ang mga programa na may konkretong epekto, at ang bawat pisong ginagastos sa tunay na pagbabago sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” Dy said.

“Sa dulo, iisa ang ating sukatan: isang budget na tunay na para sa tao at tunay na nararamdaman ng tao.”

“Iyan ang hangarin ng Bagong Kongreso—isang Kongresong bukas, nakikinig, may pananagutan, at laging inuuna ang kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino.” (RM)