DBM Press Release
Following President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman commended the Chief Executive for highlighting the government's robust investments in infrastructure and human capital development, education, and livelihood sectors.
"Kung datos lang ang pag-uusapan, maganda ang ating ekonomiya, tumaas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante. Bumaba ang inflation, dumami ang trabaho. Ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay walang saysay kung ang ating kababayan naman ay hirap pa rin at nabibigatan sa kanilang buhay," President Bongbong Marcos stated in his address.
"Kaya sa huling tatlong taon ng Administrasyon, ibubuhos pa natin ang lahat-lahat. Hindi lamang upang mapantayan, kundi mahigitan pa ang pagbibigay-ginhawa sa ating mga kababayan," he continued.
The President likewise appealed to the international business community to venture in the Philippines, underscoring the dependable values of Filipinos as a driving force to create an economic environment conducive to investment.
"My single resounding message to the international business community is this: The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino. Our cavalcade of dependable and hardworking Filipinos, innately skilled, adaptable, and possessed with a heart for service, are here, ready to work and to succeed with you," the President said.
In response to this, the Budget Secretary assured that the government will provide increased investments in key sectors to further stimulate economic growth.
"Tama po ang ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na ang kagandahan ng ating ekonomiya ay higit na nararapat na maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi sapat na nagpapakita lang tayo ng numero. Kailangan nakikita at nararamdaman ng tao kung saan napupunta ang bawat sentimo ng pondo ng bayan,” Secretary Mina Pangandaman said.
“Kaya po ngayon, tayo ay maglalaan ng mas malaking pondo hindi lamang sa imprastraktura kundi sa edukasyon at sa pagsuporta sa pag-angat ng kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino, lalo na ng mga susunod na henerasyon," Sec. Mina added.
FY 2026 National Budget should be aligned with the NEP
Speaking before members of the 20th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa, the President also made a bold pronouncement on crafting the 2026 national budget. He asserted that he will not approve a proposed budget that does not adhere to the National Expenditure Program (NEP), also known as the President's Budget.
"For the 2026 National Budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program," the President warned.
"And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a re-enacted budget. Hindi ko aaprubahan ang kahit anumang badyet na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino," he stressed.
The Budget Secretary expressed her gratitude to the President, as his statement would significantly push for passing a budget that will be highly responsive to the most pressing concerns of the Filipino people.
"We, at the DBM, support the wisdom of the President as we trust that his decisions are always about what's best for the country. In this regard, we likewise appeal to our honorable lawmakers to follow President Bongbong Marcos' directive and adhere to the NEP as closely as possible," Sec. Mina said.
"Bilang Budget Secretary, sisiguruhin din po namin na ang ating budget ay gagamitin nang mabuti ng iba't ibang ahensya upang tunay na umabot sa taumbayan, lalung-lalo na sa mga nangangailangan. Sisikapin natin na mawala ang korapsyon, na magkaroon ng transparency at acccountability sa gobyerno upang ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya ay tunay na maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan," the Budget Secretary concluded.
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