The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has revealed that proposed budget requests for 2026 from various government agencies have surged to nearly ₱10 trillion—and could still grow to as much as ₱11 trillion once all submissions are finalized.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman confirmed in a GMA News Online report that total requests currently stand at “almost ₱10 [trillion] to date.” DBM Undersecretary Goddess Libiran added in a Viber message that, based on initial assessments by the Budget Preparation and Execution Group, the total could reach ₱11 trillion. “But that’s still an estimate since we’re in the process of consolidating all [budget] requests,” she clarified.
This figure is significantly higher than last year’s ₱9.2 trillion in budget submissions, which the DBM later trimmed to ₱6.352 trillion for the approved 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Pangandaman emphasized that with limited fiscal space, the government must be prudent in evaluating agency proposals. Under the Medium Term Fiscal Framework, state spending for 2026 is initially targeted at ₱6.793 trillion.
The DBM began calling for budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2026 as early as December 27, 2024, to give agencies ample time for preparation. Proposals submitted include both Tier 1 (ongoing programs) and Tier 2 (new or expanded projects) items.
Looking ahead, Pangandaman said the proposed NEP for 2026 will be submitted to Congress “hopefully two weeks after SONA.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025. The Constitution mandates that the proposed budget be transmitted to lawmakers no later than 30 days after the SONA, with education remaining the top budgetary priority.
