QUEZON CITY – The House of Representatives officially greenlit the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year, passing House Bill No. 10858, the proposed P7.2-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2027, on its third and final reading.
The passage of the monumental spending measure signals a swift advancement in the legislative process, with lawmakers voting overwhelmingly to approve the blueprint that will dictate government spending across all sectors for the 2027 fiscal cycle.
Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez hailed the swift approval, describing the P7.2-trillion allocation as a “pro-growth” and “future-proof” budget. According to the House leadership, the primary focus of the 2027 expenditure program is to bolster economic recovery, sustain infrastructure development, and provide a stronger social safety net for vulnerable sectors amid a volatile global economic landscape.
“This budget is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every peso spent by the government translates into tangible benefits for the Filipino people,” Romualdez said in a brief statement following the session. “We have meticulously scrutinized each line item to ensure that priority programs—ranging from healthcare and education to food security and national defense—receive the necessary funding to achieve our long-term development goals.”
The P7.2-trillion figure marks a significant milestone in the country’s fiscal history, reflecting an increase from previous years to account for rising costs and the expansion of key administrative projects. Critics and members of the minority bloc, however, have raised concerns regarding the transparency of certain allocations, specifically those involving confidential and intelligence funds, as well as the equitable distribution of infrastructure projects across districts.
Despite these objections, the chamber maintained momentum throughout the deliberation process. The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate, where it is expected to undergo a similarly rigorous review. Senators are anticipated to conduct their own series of budget hearings to scrutinize the proposed expenditures before the two chambers convene for a bicameral conference committee to resolve any discrepancies.
The tight timeline is a deliberate move by the administration to prevent a reenacted budget, which could stall the implementation of critical public services. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed optimism following the House vote, noting that the timely transmission of the GAB to the Senate is vital to keeping the country’s economic growth on track.
Should the bill pass both houses and receive the signature of the President, it will serve as the financial backbone for the government’s initiatives in 2027, aiming to solidify post-pandemic gains and improve the overall socioeconomic standing of the nation. For now, all eyes turn to the Upper House as they begin their deliberations on the historic spending plan.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
