MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday opened plenary deliberations on the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, starting its line-by-line review of government spending priorities ahead of voting on the General Appropriations Bill.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing sponsored House Bill No. 10858, or the proposed FY 2027 General Appropriations Bill, as lawmakers began a series of plenary debates scheduled through Sept. 25.

“Today, we open the plenary deliberations for the Fiscal Year 2027 General Appropriations Bill — the backbone of our fiscal policy and the clearest mirror of our government’s priorities,” said Suansing.

“The Constitution entrusts Congress with the power of the purse: a solemn responsibility that demands integrity and vigilance,” she added.

Suansing said the plenary debates would allow lawmakers to scrutinize budget provisions and determine whether the proposed spending measure addresses the needs of Filipinos.

“The plenary deliberations of the General Appropriations Bill are among the greatest exercises of our democracy. The spirited debates that will result from these discussions should ensure that the General Appropriations Act will represent the priorities and necessities of every Filipino from every corner of our archipelago,” she said.

“Our challenge is to ask the difficult questions, test every assumption and demand full justification for every line item on the budget to ensure that every peso is grounded in science, feasibility and genuine need. Na ang bawat linya sa HGAB ay may saysay, tiyak na kapaki-pakinabang, at direktang makakabuti sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.”

Tuesday’s proceedings covered the sponsorship of the measure and debates on its general principles and provisions, followed by deliberations on the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development and the Department of Budget and Management.

The House is scheduled to tackle the budgets of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, and other agencies on Wednesday.

The Sept. 17 agenda will include the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Environment and Natural Resources, while the Departments of Justice, Migrant Workers, and Science and Technology are scheduled for Sept. 18.

On Sept. 21, lawmakers will deliberate on the budgets of the Commission on Elections, Commission on Audit and Department of National Defense.

The Office of the Vice President, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior and Local Government are scheduled for Sept. 22.

The Office of the President, Commission on Higher Education, state universities and colleges, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation will be taken up on Sept. 23.

On Sept. 24, the House will tackle, among others, the budgets of Congress and the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Health, Public Works and Highways, and Trade and Industry.

The final scheduled day of plenary debates on Sept. 25 will cover the Office of the Ombudsman, the Judiciary, Department of Finance and lump-sum funds before the turno en contra.