President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially approved the proposed PhP6.793 trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026, Malacañang announced today. This significant approval underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to national development and the welfare of the Filipino people, coinciding with a notable surge in the President’s public trust rating.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the 2026 budget reflects the administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of education and fundamentally improving the lives of every Filipino. During a Cabinet meeting held this Tuesday morning, President Marcos Jr. emphasized that the budget’s primary aim extends beyond mere economic growth, focusing crucially on uplifting the quality of life for all citizens.
“Sa ilalim ng Marcos administration, mahalaga ang kapakanan ng bawat isa at ang kinabukasan ng taumbayan tungo sa mas progresibo at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas,” Castro quoted the President, highlighting the administration’s people-centric approach.
The budget approval comes as President Marcos Jr. continues to enjoy strong public support, as indicated in recent survey results. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted from June 25 to 29 among 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide, revealed a significant 10-percentage point increase in the President’s trust rating, rising from 38 percent in May to 48 percent in June. This marks the second consecutive month of improvement in his trust rating.
Undersecretary Castro welcomed this rise, describing it as a clear reflection of the President’s strong leadership and the public’s continued confidence in his administration, even amidst political noise and attempts to discredit it. She emphasized that the public has recognized the administration’s initiatives and programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.
Despite the positive survey numbers, Castro affirmed that the administration remains committed to its mandate and will not become complacent. “The survey numbers will not affect the President’s commitment to serve,” she stressed, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to its service.
To sustain this positive momentum and further build public trust, Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez had earlier committed to strengthening the administration’s communication strategies, promoting press freedom, and advancing digital transformation.
