The House of Representatives approved, on Third and Final Reading, House Bill No. 10858, the proposed ₱7.2-trillion General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes about ₱116 billion in amendments to strengthen essential public services and address the most urgent needs of Filipinos.
The House has retained the ₱1.107-trillion education allocation and aligned ₱10.055 billion for scholarships, school safety, learning recovery, and inclusive education. This includes ₱2.10 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy, ₱1.77 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program, ₱500 million for the School Safety and Security Program, and ₱350 million for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. The House also provided additional funding for school facilities, the University of the Philippines System, State Universities and Colleges, and Technical-Vocational Scholarships.
In healthcare, the House allocated ₱23.97 billion for the Medical Assistance Program to directly reduce out-of-pocket expenses of patients, ₱1.55 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program to upgrade public health infrastructure, and ₱50 million to support Department of Health regional hospital operations. The House also provided an additional ₱1.8 billion for nationally procured commodities to strengthen the prevention and control of communicable diseases, ensuring every peso spent delivers measurable improvements in public health.
To reinforce food security and support agricultural livelihoods, the House allocated ₱10 billion for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk and ₱4.96 billion for farm-to-market roads.
Further agricultural investments include ₱150 million for the Agri-Transport System, ₱125 million for solar-powered irrigation pumps to irrigate approximately 105 hectares, ₱105 million for hybrid solar-powered ice plants, and ₱100 million for high-value crops, with a focus on ube. These targeted allocations aim to increase productivity, minimize post-harvest losses, and equip farmers and fisherfolk to better withstand climate-related risks, including the anticipated Super El Niño.
In public transportation, the House allocated ₱1 billion for fuel subsidies, ₱500 million for the Service Contracting Program, ₱75 million for the NCR Busway Project, and ₱774 million for locally funded Department of Transportation projects. These allocations are intended to sustain essential transport services and provide direct relief to drivers, operators, and commuters facing rising costs.
“The House’s budget amendments were guided by the shared judgment of the House to protect key spending priorities, particularly education and healthcare.”
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing said the House’s budget amendments were guided by the shared judgment of the House to protect key spending priorities, particularly education and healthcare, while responding to the most pressing needs of the Filipino people.
“Despite the realignments, the BARSc made sure to safeguard the total budget for education — ensuring that it remains the top spending priority,” House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Suansing said.
“Moreover, the significant increase in the funding for the health sector aims to expand access to essential healthcare services and ease the financial burden of medical expenses on Filipino families,” the veteran legislator added.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III likewise emphasized that public accountability must continue beyond the passage of the budget, urging Filipinos to remain involved in monitoring its implementation.
“Hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating trabaho.”
“Ngayon, natapos na po ang mahabang proseso ng pagtalakay at pagpasa sa budget sa House. Ngunit hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating trabaho,” Dy said.
“Samahan ninyo po kaming bantayan ang implementasyon nito. Gaya ng sinabi natin noong turnover ng National Expenditure Program, ang budget ay pera ng taong-bayan,” the veteran legislator said.
“May karapatan silang malaman kung saan ito mapupunta, bakit ito kinakailangan, at ano ang mga resultang dapat nilang asahan,” the seasoned lawmaker emphasized.
