President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially signed the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) earlier today, marking a decisive step toward safeguarding the nation’s economic recovery and accelerating the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
The timely enactment of the 2026 National Budget removes fiscal uncertainty and reinforces the administration’s commitment to a strategic roadmap focused on human development, food security, and long-term economic resilience.
The 2026 Budget prioritizes the Filipino people through record-breaking allocations in social services. For the first time in history, the Philippines has met the UNESCO benchmark for education spending.
-
Education: Allocated over PHP 1.34 trillion, representing at least 4% of the nation’s GDP. This funding is dedicated to improving basic and higher education, technical-vocational training, and extensive upskilling programs to create a globally competitive workforce.
-
Health: The budget strengthens primary care and expands specialty centers, ensuring that quality healthcare reaches the most financially vulnerable and indigent citizens through upgraded medical facilities.
Recognizing that food security is the backbone of a stable economy, the Agriculture sector has been granted PHP 297.1 billion—its highest allocation in over a decade.
These funds are earmarked to:
-
Increase farm productivity and farmers’ incomes.
-
Expand the construction of farm-to-market roads to reduce logistics costs.
-
Lower food prices for Filipino consumers.
While the 2026 Budget supports updated GDP growth assumptions of 5% to 6%, the administration emphasizes that the quality of this growth is as important as the figures.
“The 2026 Budget is more than a financial document; it is a strategic roadmap,” the President’s office stated. “By investing in social protection and job creation, we ensure that growth is not just robust but widely shared.” The administration remains on track to meet its goal of reducing poverty incidence to single-digit levels by 2028.
Despite necessary realignments, the approved budget is designed for maximum impact. Through stronger program convergence and inter-agency coordination, the government guarantees prudent fiscal stewardship and transparency, ensuring that every peso contributes to measurable improvements in the lives of every Filipino.
With solid macroeconomic fundamentals and a clear policy direction, the signing of the 2026 GAA sends a powerful message to domestic and international stakeholders: the Philippines is open for business and remains steadfast in its pursuit of sustainable, inclusive progress.
