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Advocates Philippines
Marcos Signs P6.79-Trillion 2026 Budget, Slashes Billions To Guard Public Funds
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed the country’s massive ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 — but not without cutting ₱92.5 billion from the “Unprogrammed Appropriations” to make sure public money is better protected.
The signing of Republic Act 12314, or the 2026 General Appropriations Act, took place at Malacañan Palace.
Marcos said the hardships of 2025 — from climate disasters and economic uncertainty to corruption scandals — showed that reforms can’t be postponed anymore.
“These challenges were painful, but they made one thing clear: real change could no longer wait,” he said.
According to the President, this year’s budget is meant to reset government priorities, rebuild public trust, and push long-delayed governance reforms.
Big boosts: education, health, agriculture
Education once again gets the biggest share at ₱1.345 trillion — funding new teaching positions, promotions, and more classrooms across the country.
Healthcare also receives its largest budget ever at ₱448.1 billion to strengthen universal health care, disease monitoring, rapid response systems, and affordable treatment.
Another ₱129.8 billion goes to PhilHealth, including restored funds meant to lower families’ out-of-pocket medical costs.
For farmers and fisherfolk, the agriculture sector gets ₱297.1 billion — including support for modernizing supply chains and building farm-to-market roads to help bring food from the provinces straight to markets faster and cheaper.
Social services, meanwhile, receive ₱270.2 billion, aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening safety nets.
There are also increased funds for local governments, disaster rehabilitation programs worth ₱15.33 billion, and continued support for military and uniformed personnel pay and allowances.
Tightening the belt on “unprogrammed” funds
Marcos was firm: unprogrammed appropriations are not an excuse for loose spending.
“We will not allow these to be treated as a back door for discretionary spending,” he said.
He vetoed nearly ₱92.5 billion worth of items, saying releases must be transparent and strictly justified.
The President added that he intends to stand by his constitutional duty to ensure taxpayers’ money is used wisely.
The signing of Republic Act 12314, or the 2026 General Appropriations Act, took place at Malacañan Palace.
Marcos said the hardships of 2025 — from climate disasters and economic uncertainty to corruption scandals — showed that reforms can’t be postponed anymore.
“These challenges were painful, but they made one thing clear: real change could no longer wait,” he said.
According to the President, this year’s budget is meant to reset government priorities, rebuild public trust, and push long-delayed governance reforms.
Big boosts: education, health, agriculture
Education once again gets the biggest share at ₱1.345 trillion — funding new teaching positions, promotions, and more classrooms across the country.
Healthcare also receives its largest budget ever at ₱448.1 billion to strengthen universal health care, disease monitoring, rapid response systems, and affordable treatment.
Another ₱129.8 billion goes to PhilHealth, including restored funds meant to lower families’ out-of-pocket medical costs.
For farmers and fisherfolk, the agriculture sector gets ₱297.1 billion — including support for modernizing supply chains and building farm-to-market roads to help bring food from the provinces straight to markets faster and cheaper.
Social services, meanwhile, receive ₱270.2 billion, aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening safety nets.
There are also increased funds for local governments, disaster rehabilitation programs worth ₱15.33 billion, and continued support for military and uniformed personnel pay and allowances.
Tightening the belt on “unprogrammed” funds
Marcos was firm: unprogrammed appropriations are not an excuse for loose spending.
“We will not allow these to be treated as a back door for discretionary spending,” he said.
He vetoed nearly ₱92.5 billion worth of items, saying releases must be transparent and strictly justified.
The President added that he intends to stand by his constitutional duty to ensure taxpayers’ money is used wisely.
Jan 5, 2026
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