MANILA — As plenary debates on the 2026 national budget resume, a lawmaker has praised the proposed spending plan for being fiscally responsible while addressing social needs, noting the historic ₱1.38 trillion earmarked for education — the largest allocation in Philippine history.

Healthcare also received a boost, with funding for the Zero Balance Billing Program increasing from ₱53.3 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ₱62.6 billion in the Senate version, aimed at making quality healthcare more accessible.

Social protection programs are similarly strengthened. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will receive ₱101.8 billion, expanding coverage to approximately 500,000 new near-poor households. The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens was increased by ₱8.2 billion to cover 663,000 waitlisted beneficiaries, while the Supplementary Feeding Program was expanded to benefit over 1.8 million children under five years old.

For the country’s 2.3 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the AKSYON Fund under the Department of Migrant Workers was doubled to ₱2.4 billion, up from ₱1.2 billion in the House version.

The budget also targets agricultural development, with an additional ₱500 million allocated for the establishment of Food Hubs, enabling farmers to sell directly to consumers and retailers.

“We have analyzed the budget down to the last detail to come up with policies that are fiscally sound, socially responsive, and humane,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saw its budget reduced by ₱55.91 billion following the identification of red flags in several infrastructure projects. “We are committed to restoring what has been lost — leadership, accountability, and transparency,” Gatchalian said, citing corruption as a key driver of previous lapses.

“Dahil hindi lang nakasalalay sa mga tulay, daan, at gusali ang pag-unlad, mahalaga rin ang seguridad ng ating mga komunidad,” he added, noting that the defense sector is set to receive ₱385.97 billion, marking the highest defense allocation in Philippine history.