SENATE PANEL RECOMMENDS HIGHER 2026 BUDGET FOR PRESIDENT, VP WHILE CUTTING DPWH AND DSWD ALLOCATIONS

The Senate Finance Committee has proposed increasing the 2026 budgets for the Offices of the President and Vice President, raising the OP to P27.352 billion and the OVP to P889.236 million for advisory, socio-economic, and operational expenses. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways saw a P55.919-billion cut from the House version, including reductions to the Special Road Fund and the TIKAS program, though the Quick Response Fund was increased to P7 billion. The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s budget was reduced by P31.28 billion overall, with cuts to the 4Ps program but increases to Social Pension and the PAMANA program. Some allocations for the National Authority for Child Care and the National Council on Disability Affairs were increased. The panel also authorized various national agencies to designate LGUs as implementing agencies for local infrastructure, public works, and social programs.