Marcos signs 2026 national budget worth P6.7 trillion—here are the top allocations
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on Monday, Jan. 5.
According to the Palace, Marcos vetoed P92.5 billion worth of items under the Unprogrammed Appropriations in the enacted Republic Act 12314 or the General Appropriations Act of 2026 to tighten safeguards on public spending and reinforce fiscal discipline.
In a speech, Marcos clarified that unprogrammed appropriations “are not blank checks.”
“We will not allow the unprogrammed appropriations to be misused or treated as a back door for discretionary spending,” he said.
He added that budget reforms are overdue, considering that the Philippines was hounded by climate, economic, and administrative issues in 2025.
“The year 2025 tested our nation on many fronts… These challenges are painful, but they also made one thing clear: real change could no longer wait,” Marcos said.
“As we enter this year, let us take this opportunity to start moving forward with difficult but needed reforms in governance, to rebuild our trust… and deliver an honest and effective government to the Filipinos,” he added.
Budget allocations
According to Marcos, the funding focuses on education reform, health protection, food security, social safety nets, and job creation. He added that the National Budget "is aligned with our medium- and long-term development plans and vision, reflecting our investment in the Filipino."
Below are the sectors receiving the largest portions of the national budget:
- Education: P1.345 trillion
This budget funds the creation of teaching and non-teaching plantilla positions, teacher promotion and reclassification, and classroom construction nationwide.
- Health: P448.125 billion
Marcos said this allocation is for the Department of Health’s Universal Health Care Fund, Zero Balance Billing program, disease surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and sustainable health financing. PhillHealth also received almost P129.8 billion, including P60 billion restored by a Supreme Court decision. - Agriculture: P297.102 billion
The budget will help modernize supply systems, support farmers and fisherfolk, and fund farm-to-market roads. - Social services: P270.189 billion
The allocated budget will address systemic vulnerabilities and promote inclusive growth. - Disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction: P15.33 billion
Increased allocations were also provided for local government units under the national budget, where P15.33 billion was given for disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. Funding for military and uniformed personnel was also retained.
The Senate and House of Representatives wrapped up their bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2026 GAA on Dec. 18, zeroing the budget for locally funded flood control projects amid the flood control scandal.
The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro. Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption.
