Congress ratifies 2026 price range bicam report regardless of ‘pork’ program issues

Lawmakers from the Home and Senate flag huge will increase in funding for applications which will fund political patronage and lumpsum funds for native authorities models

MANILA, Philippines – The Home of Representatives and the Senate ratified the bicameral convention committee (bicam) report on the proposed 2026 nationwide price range regardless of reservations surrounding unprogrammed appropriations and attainable “pork barrel” applications.

After each chambers of Congress ratified the bicam report on the P6.793-trillion spending plan on Monday, December 29, the measure will now be transmitted to Malacañang. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is predicted to signal the 2026 price range into legislation within the first week of January.

At the least two Home lawmakers voted in opposition to the ratification. Home Deputy Minority Chief Antonio Tinio stated in an announcement that that there was no funding offered for what he described as “real” agrarian reform and nationwide industrialization.

“Whereas funding for training, well being, housing, and different social companies is missing, funds have been poured into pork, fascism, overseas pursuits, and debt funds,” Tinio stated.

The Home deputy minority chief additionally flagged attainable pork barrel applications for native authorities models (LGUs) such because the Native Authorities Assist Fund, which was elevated greater than thrice to P57.8 billion from simply P16 billion within the Nationwide Expenditure Program (NEP).

Monetary Help to LGUs additionally jumped sevenfold to P37.4 billion from P5 billion, whereas the Development Fairness Fund surged almost tenfold to P11.3 billion from simply P1 billion. These are lump sum funds which may be used for infrastructure and social help.

Davao Metropolis third District Consultant Isidro Ungab additionally voted in opposition to the ratification, citing an alleged continued misuse of unprogrammed appropriations.

Issues surrounding alleged pork applications additionally hounded the Senate, as a number of senators voted for the bicam report’s ratification however with reservations.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta – who beforehand voted for the Senate’s model of the spending plan – famous that a number of key reductions in ayuda (social help) applications have been restored by the bicam. Applications resembling MAIFIP (Medical Help to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Sufferers) and TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Deprived/Displaced Staff) have been beforehand flagged by price range watchdogs for perpetuating political patronage.

MAIFIP, for example, requires sufferers to safe a assure letter from politicians so as to avail of help.

“Once we place huge will increase in ayuda and standby funds aspect by aspect, a troubling image emerges. We’re increasing each the gentle channels of political patronage and the fiscal backdoors that enable them to be financed, all whereas claiming to pursue reform and self-discipline. That is impunity,” Marcoleta stated.

Though he voted for the ratification of the bicam report, Senate President Professional Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson additionally flagged the absence of robust safeguards to stop politicians from interfering with help distribution.

“The nationwide price range should not be a political device or spoils for these in energy. We deserve a price range that really serves the individuals, free from political exploitation,” he stated.

Senators Loren Legarda and Kiko Pangilinan voted for the ratification, however with reservations.

For Legarda, her reservations stemmed from the nationwide authorities’s supposed continued failure to remit sin tax revenues and statutory shares from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Workplace and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Company to fund the Philippine Well being Insurance coverage Company (PhilHealth).

In the meantime, Pangilinan requested Marcos to veto a provision that authorizes the Division of Agriculture to enter a memorandum of settlement with the Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assemble farm-to-market roads, which noticed funding double to P33 billion from simply P16 billion.

Pangilinan cited capability and accountability issues with the DPWH, because the embattled public works division is at the moment going through a backlog of 60,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.

“If we wish to enhance farmers’ productiveness, cut back their transport prices, and enhance their incomes, the DA is finest outfitted to find out which roads matter most for manufacturing areas and market entry,” Pangilinan stated.

Senate finance chairman Sherwin Gatchalian – who sponsored the Senate’s model of the 2026 spending plan – famous large beneficial properties in funding for the agriculture, well being and training sectors. In keeping with Gatchalian, the bicam retained some P1.35 trillion in funding for the training sector, whereas the agriculture and well being sectors are set to obtain P214.39 billion and P447.6 billion, respectively. – Rappler.com