MANILA — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday welcomed the enactment of the ₱6.793-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) as a genuine “People’s Budget,” pledging strict congressional oversight to ensure public funds are spent lawfully, efficiently, and without corruption.

Speaking after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the national budget at Malacañang, Dy said, “The signing of the budget is not the end of our work. Simula pa lang ito. It is the start of oversight. Congress will make sure every peso is spent exactly as approved.”

Dy described the 2026 GAA as inclusive, transparent, and accountable, aimed at addressing the daily needs of Filipinos. “This is the People’s Budget. It is a budget that is open, accountable, and focused on improving lives—creating jobs, strengthening education, expanding health care, and ensuring food security,” he said.

The Speaker highlighted key social sector allocations, including:

• Education: ₱1.34 trillion, the largest in Philippine history, surpassing the 4 percent international benchmark for education spending. For the first time, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program will be fully funded, benefiting 2.4 million students in over 100 state universities and colleges.
• Health: ₱448.12 billion to expand PhilHealth benefits and fully support zero-balance billing for indigent patients in government hospitals.

Dy also pointed to reforms in the budget process, including the livestreaming of bicameral conference deliberations and the replacement of the traditional small committee with the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSC) to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Every step and every peso can now be explained and defended before the Filipino people,” Dy said.

He emphasized Congress’ commitment to oversight: “There will be zero tolerance for corruption. No leakages, no shortcuts, and no excuses. Ang pera ng bayan ay dapat magamit para sa taumbayan.”

Dy joined President Marcos onstage during the signing ceremony, along with members of the House leadership, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Loren Legarda, and key Cabinet officials, including Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo.