MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the ₱6.793-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026, committing to implement a spending program focused on education, health, food security, social protection, and job creation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Marcos said the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), or Republic Act No. 12314, is aligned with the government’s medium- and long-term development plans and aimed at uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

“We are committing to implement a budget that serves the people,” the President said.

“The 2026 National Budget shall sustain our momentum in education reform, in health protection, in food security, in social security, and in job creation,” he added.

As mandated by the Constitution, education received the largest allocation of more than ₱1.34 trillion, which will fund additional teaching and non-teaching positions, teacher promotions and reclassification, and classroom construction nationwide.

The health sector was allotted ₱448.125 billion to support Universal Health Care, including a ₱1-billion allocation for the Zero Balance Billing Program in local government hospitals. The budget also covers disease surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and sustainable health financing.

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) received nearly ₱130 billion, including the ₱60 billion restored in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

“These funds shall support preventive healthcare and the improvement of PhilHealth benefit packages, lowering the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipino families,” Marcos said.

The agricultural sector was allocated over ₱297 billion for supply system modernization and support for farmers and fisherfolk, including the construction of farm-to-market roads to reduce transport costs and post-harvest losses.

More than ₱270 billion was earmarked for social protection programs aimed at improving quality of life, safeguarding welfare across sectors, and strengthening human capital development.

Through these flagship programs, Marcos said the government aims to bring the country’s poverty rate to single digits by 2028.

The GAA also provides funding for the updated base pay schedule and increased subsistence allowance for military and uniformed personnel.

Marcos noted that prior to the approval of the 2026 GAA, the 2025 national budget was reenacted and remained in effect until January 4, 2026. He directed the Department of Budget and Management to consider expenditures incurred under the reenacted budget in crafting fund release guidelines for 2026.

The President thanked Congress for what he described as the “principled exercise” of its power of the purse and reforms aimed at strengthening accountability in the budget process.

“Hindi tayo papayag na mapunta sa kurakot ang salaping pinaghirapan ng bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said.

He vowed stricter scrutiny of all programs and projects to ensure tangible benefits, especially for vulnerable sectors.

“Sa National Budget ng 2026, malinaw ang direksyon ng inyong pamahalaan: magiging mas masinop, mas maingat, at mas responsable kami sa paggastos ng pondo ng bayan,” he said.

Marcos also urged public participation in ensuring accountability.

“Ang pagbabantay, ang pagtatanong, ang pag-uulat, at ang pakikilahok ay mahalagang bahagi ng isang gumaganang demokrasya,” he said.