The House of Representatives approved the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on second reading through voice voting.
An amendment was made to cut the Office of the Vice President’s budget by P156 million, reducing it to its 2025 level amid Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence during budget deliberations.
The budget also includes a P255-billion cut from the Department of Public Works and Highways, with funds realigned to education, health, agriculture, and social welfare programs.
Special provisions now require the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Commission on Audit to submit reports on fund usage and audits.
Despite calls to slash unprogrammed appropriations, the House rejected the proposal to maintain funding for foreign-assisted projects.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 11, 2025
