MANILA—The House Committee on Appropriations will resume deliberations this week on the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2027, with lawmakers set to examine funding requests for education, health, justice, digital connectivity, tourism, social protection and employment.

The committee, chaired by Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, will take up on Monday, Sept. 7, the proposed budgets of the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), the Judiciary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of Tourism (DOT).

Expected to present their agencies’ funding proposals are Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, Health Secretary Edwin M. Mercado, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, and Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita “Dita” Angara-Mathay.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the committee will continue its hearings with the proposed allocations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DSWD Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian and Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino are expected to brief lawmakers on their agencies’ proposed 2027 budgets, spending priorities and major programs.

Previous budget hearings

Last Thursday, Sept. 3, the committee examined the proposed budgets of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The hearings covered initiatives involving transportation infrastructure, land tenure security, agrarian justice, foreign relations, assistance to Filipinos overseas and human rights protection.

The DOTr has proposed a ₱300.96-billion budget for 2027, representing an increase of 118.33 percent from its allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

The committee also terminated deliberations on the DAR’s proposed ₱14.61-billion budget.

In a message relayed through Committee Vice Chair and Isabela Rep. Ian Paul Dy, Suansing underscored DAR’s role in implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and distributing land to qualified farmer-beneficiaries.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said the agency’s priorities for 2027 include land tenure security, agrarian justice delivery, and the development and sustainability of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Among its programs are the continued distribution of split electronic titles and remaining Certificates of Land Ownership Award, implementation of Executive Order No. 75, and completion of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The DAR also plans to introduce an Electronic Certificate of No Pending Appeal System, expand its Agrarian Reform Justice on Wheels program, strengthen alternative dispute resolution training and fill vacant lawyer positions as part of its “Zero Caseload” policy.

DFA proposes ₱35.17-B budget

The Department of Foreign Affairs presented its proposed ₱35.17-billion budget for 2027 to support diplomatic operations, promote economic security and protect Filipinos overseas.

Committee Vice Chair and Misamis Occidental Rep. Sancho Fernando “Ando” F. Oaminal presided over the DFA budget hearing.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa “Tess” P. Lazaro also announced that the department plans to introduce a redesigned Philippine passport by June 2027.

Under the Next Generation Philippine Passport project, the new passport booklet will feature enhanced security measures, contactless chip technology and additional pages while retaining its 10-year validity.