The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) backs the proposal to livestream all congressional budget deliberations to promote transparency and public engagement.

During the Quezon Educators’ Research Convention in Lucena City, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to ensure the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) conforms to the priorities set in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“As your Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, I support the proposal to livestream and make all budget deliberations in Congress and the Senate, including the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more accessible to the public,” she said in Filipino.

“In this way, transparency will be strengthened and every Filipino will be able to participate more actively in monitoring our national budget,” Pangandaman added.

She said increased transparency would empower Filipinos to actively monitor how public funds are allocated.

She emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strong appeal to lawmakers not to deviate from the 2026 NEP.

“It may change slightly, depending on the deliberations in Congress,” Pangandaman said.

The NEP serves as the basis of Congress in crafting the General Appropriations Bill, which becomes the General Appropriations Act once signed into law by the President.

The DBM on Wednesday transmitted to the Senate and House of Representatives the 2026 NEP containing the proposed P6.793 trillion budget for 2026.

The proposed national budget is 7.4 percent higher than the enacted 2025 budget.

Education, public works and health remain the top sectors to receive the biggest allocations for 2026.

DMB PHOTO