‘Over P600 billion in 2026 budget at risk’MANILA, Philippines — A civil society group warned that over P600 billion in the 2026 budget could be at risk, citing increased allocations for aid programs, unprogrammed appropriations and other infrastructure projects. While acknowledging that no budget is perfect, People’s Budget Coalition spokesperson AJ Montesa said lawmakers should be sensitive to the current context, noting that public trust in the budget process has been shaken by the flood control issue. For 2026, the Congress increased the funding for AICS or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations to P63.89 billion, up from the proposed P26.9 billion. Otherwise, perpetual subsidies, especially those used for political gain, risk exacerbating the budget deficit. Malacañang announced that President Marcos will sign the P6.793-trillion 2026 budget in early January, following Congress’s approval, while the 2025 General Appropriations Act will be automatically reenacted after its expiration yesterday.

Source: Philippine Star December 31, 2025 16:46 UTC