House passes transparent, people-centered 2027 budget

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday said the House of Representatives passed the proposed 2027 national budget with transparency and a commitment to ensure that every centavo paid by Filipino taxpayers returns to them through better services and programs.

In his address to members of the House, the Speaker said the Chamber had fulfilled the commitment it made when the National Expenditure Program was submitted to the chamber in August.

“When the National Expenditure Program was turned over to the House last August, we made a commitment to the Filipino people: that every centavo earned through their hard work and paid in taxes must be spent wisely, honestly, and on programs that will make a real difference in their lives,” Dy said.

“Sinabi natin noon na bawat sentimong pinaghirapan ng ating mga kababayan ay dapat magamit ng tama. Dapat bumalik ito sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mas maayos na edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulong sa mga nangangailangan, at mga programang tunay na makapagpapagaan sa kanilang buhay.”

The House approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 10858, which provides appropriations for government operations from January 1 to December 31, 2027.

The former Isabela governor said the needs of the public guided the Chamber’s scrutiny of the spending proposal, which resulted in additional support for education, healthcare, transportation, and preparations for El Niño.

“Ito po ang naging gabay natin sa bawat hakbang ng pagbuo ng 2027 national budget. Tiniyak natin na ito ay may transparency at itinuloy din natin ang mga repormang sinimulan natin nung nakaraang taon, katulad ng BARSc,” he said.

The House amendments included an additional ₱10.06 billion for education programs supporting school safety, inclusive learning, academic recovery and access to quality tertiary education, as well as additional allocations for medical assistance and agricultural support.

For transportation, Dy cited an additional ₱500 million for the Service Contracting Program and ₱1 billion for fuel subsidies intended to benefit public utility vehicle drivers and operators, tricycle drivers, delivery riders and other transport service providers.

With the House’s budget deliberations completed, Dy urged the public to help monitor the implementation of the programs funded under the spending measure.

“Ngayon na tapos na po ang pagtalakay ng budget, samahan ninyo po kaming bantayan ang implementasyon ng mga ito. Gaya po nang sinabi natin sa NEP turnover, ang budget ay pera ng taumbayan. May karapatan silang malaman kung saan ito mapupunta, bakit ito kailangan, at ano ang maaasahang resulta.”