Senator Risa Hontiveros voted yes to the Senate version of the 2026 budget which she hailed for “critical and timely” funding increases for programs for students, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and women and children – as she vowed to pursue proper funding for health services and the protection of the Sierra Madre.
After joining other senators in voting to approve on third reading the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), Hontiveros said that she is “immensely grateful” for the Senate’s support for higher funding for education, OFW assistance, and the safety of women and children both online and offline.
I am happy that the Senate has not forgotten the needs of our vulnerable kababayans, especially the Filipino youth who represent our collective future.”
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mas malaking pondo sa 2026 budget para sa mga programang kailangan ng napakaraming estudyante, OFW, kababaihan at kabataan. I am happy that the Senate has not forgotten the needs of our vulnerable kababayans, especially the Filipino youth who represent our collective future,” the veteran legislator said.
Amendments for vulnerable Pinoys ok’d
Hontiveros, who earlier proposed a P3.28 billion funding increase for the free higher education program of state universities and colleges (SUCs), said that the Senate approved a P7.35 billion increase for SUCs “to allow more young Filipinos to enroll in higher education, amid a serious learning crisis.”
The Senate also approved her proposed budgetary increases for key health facilities – such as funds for the liver transplant program of the Philippine General Hospital, the cochlear implant and brain surgery programs of the Quirino Medical Center, medical equipment for the National Center for Geriatric Health – Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and the construction of the Naujan Community Hospital in Oriental Mindoro.
Likewise, the seasoned lawmaker said that the Senate cleared her proposal to expand funding under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to create “help desks” that will serve prospective and returning OFWs in 82 provinces around the country.
The lady senator also successfully secured the restored and higher budget for the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (NCC- OSAEC CSAEM) – a critical component of the country’s fight against online sexual abuse of women and children.
Other amendments by Hontiveros include funding for “strengthened” pre-audits by the Commission on Audit to stamp out corruption in state projects, and special provisions in the PUV Modernization Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to make the program faster and more equitable – especially for drivers and operators.
Fight for PhilHealth, Sierra Madre funds
She said that it was “very unfortunate” that the Senate version of the 2026 budget did not include her proposed “life-saving” amendments for additional funding for the subsidy of indirect contributors under PhilHealth, and for the Sierra Madre Watershed Protection Fund.
However, Hontiveros stressed that she will continue to fight for proper funding for the said programs even up to the 2027 national budget cycle, given the “immense necessity of these programs to our health, our environment and our community.”
“Tuloy ang pagsusulong natin na madagdagan ang pondo para sa kalusugan at sa proteksyon ng kalikasan, ngayon at sa mga susunod na taon.”
“Tuloy ang pagsusulong natin na madagdagan ang pondo para sa kalusugan at sa proteksyon ng kalikasan, ngayon at sa mga susunod na taon. Lahat ng tutugon sa pinakamalaking mga kailangan ng bansa – lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan, edukasyon at kalikasan ay dapat sapat na pondohan ng pamahalaan,” she concluded.
