Health gets P1.06 trillion, which would push our health spending up to 3.19 percent of GDP from 2.68 percent this year. This means more money for hospitals, medicine and health services.
Infrastructure, under the government’s Build Better More Program, gets P1.467 trillion-or 4.4 percent of GDP and P178 billion more than this year-to build more roads, bridges, railways and water systems.
Based on DBM breakdown, education (DepEd) gets the largest share at P976 billion, or 13.55 percent of the total budget. Public works (DPWH) gets P644 billion for roads and bridges.
Health, specialty hospitals and PhilHealth combined get P353.8 billion. Local government and public safety (DILG) gets P332.5 billion. National defense gets P328.8 billion, including military modernization. And transportation (DOTr) gets P302.2 billion for railways and public transit.
The DBM says it expects Congress to scrutinize the budget carefully, and I agree that’s how it should be-every peso needs to go where it will actually help people.
On the ground, I’m encouraged that the DBM already started releasing funds for 2026 infrastructure projects to the DPWH toward the end of June. The DPWH began awarding contracts in June and July. Secretary Balisacan said he expects public construction spending to pick up in the third quarter and keep building momentum after that.
To hit the government’s full-year growth target of 3.5 to 4.5 percent, our economy should grow at least 4.4 percent in the second half of the year, based on DEPDEv’s calculations. Indeed, this will be tough, but the target is still within reach if we work together. Specifically, we should speed up high-priority infrastructure projects, with immediate economic impact.
Our growth engine needs a restart. Agriculture, manufacturing and exports are already pulling their weight. To keep the rest of the economy moving, we need to release the budget on time, get contractors moving and clear the way for economic activities and opportunities.
I think we have a real shot at hitting our second-half growth target. It requires higher investments from the government and the private sector and the cooperation of everyone.