THE House Committee on Appropriations has formally filed the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 as the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mikaela Angela Suansing filed House Bill No. 10858-the House version of the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the spending plan originally submitted by the executive branch to Congress.
‘We have also formally filed the House General Appropriations Bill [HB 10858] this Wednesday. Your public servant remains committed to ensuring a thorough review of the national budget for the year 2027,’ said Suansing.
The filing comes as the House Committee on Appropriations enters the second week of its budget deliberations. Committee-level hearings are scheduled to continue through September 8, after which the proposed budget is expected to be elevated to the House plenary for further debates and amendments.
At P7.2 trillion, the proposed 2027 national budget is about 6 percent higher than the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 and is equivalent to approximately 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
Education remains the biggest recipient of the proposed spending program, with the Department of Education allocated P976 billion. The allocation accounts for 13.55 percent of the proposed national budget and covers basic education programs under DepEd.
The education sector’s proposed funding also includes P61.1 billion for universal access to quality tertiary education, P38.1 billion for government assistance and subsidies, P30.6 billion for basic education facilities, and P12.1 billion for the Expanded Career Progression System.
The proposed budget also provides for the continued expansion of career opportunities for teachers and the creation of additional teaching and non-teaching positions, including school guidance associates.
Higher education, meanwhile, is allocated a combined P176.5 billion for the Commission on Higher Education and state universities and colleges.
The Department of Public Works and Highways ranks second among the largest recipients at P644 billion, followed by the health sector at P353.8 billion. The health allocation covers the Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and specialty hospitals.
Among the proposed health expenditures are P133.3 billion for health facility operations, P25.4 billion for the National Health Workforce Support System, and P24.2 billion for medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients. The Zero-Balance Billing Program for national and local government hospitals is also allotted P19 billion.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government is next with P332.5 billion, followed by the Department of National Defense with P328.8 billion.
The transportation sector is allocated P302.2 billion, while agriculture agencies will receive a combined P261.7 billion. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is allotted P241.6 billion, including P99.1 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and P51.6 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.
By sector, social services continue to receive the largest share of the proposed budget at P2.456 trillion, or 34.1 percent of the total expenditure program. Economic services account for P1.833 trillion, followed by general public services at P1.317 trillion, debt burden at P1.143 trillion, and defense at P452.4 billion.
The government said the 2027 spending plan will prioritize the completion of ongoing programs and projects rather than simply starting new initiatives.
The proposed budget also contains P111.984 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, equivalent to about 1.5 percent of the expenditure program. The government expects a budget deficit of P1.7 trillion, which will be financed through borrowing.
With the filing of HB No. 10858, the 2027 budget now formally enters the House legislative process. Lawmakers will continue examining agency allocations, proposed programs and spending priorities before the measure is brought to the plenary.
Suansing has said the House intends to approve the 2027 GAB on the third and final reading by October 9. The House has also committed to transparency in the budget process, with hearings of the Committee on Appropriations and the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee scheduled to be livestreamed.
After House approval, the GAB will undergo deliberations in the Senate before the two chambers reconcile their respective versions through the bicameral conference committee.