The House of Representatives will subject the proposed P7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027 to rigorous scrutiny to ensure that government spending delivers concrete benefits to Filipinos, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Tuesday.
Dy made the commitment as the House formally received the proposed national spending program from the executive branch.
The proposed budget carries the theme “People-Centered Growth for an Inclusive and Resilient Future,” which the Speaker said would guide lawmakers as they review the spending priorities for the coming fiscal year.
“Hindi sapat na sabihin kung magkano ang ginagastos. Dapat maipakita kung ano ang nagagawa ng bawat piso. Ang bawat piso ay dapat may katumbas na ginhawa para sa bawat Pilipino,” Dy said during the NEP turnover ceremony.
He said lawmakers would examine each portion of the proposal and require government agencies to explain not only how much funding they are seeking but also how the money would be used and what results it is expected to produce.
“Sa Bagong Kongreso, masusi nating susuriin ang bawat bahagi ng panukala. Tatanungin natin ang mga ahensiya hindi lamang kung magkano ang kanilang hinihingi, kundi kung paano ito gagamitin at kung anong konkretong bunga ang maibibigay nito sa sambayanan,” he said.
Dy said the House would assess the proposed allocations based on three questions: where the funds will go, what concrete changes they are expected to produce and how those changes will affect ordinary Filipinos.
He said the national budget should be viewed beyond its figures and allocations, as it represents funding for public services and programs relied upon by families, workers, farmers, students and other sectors.
“Sapagkat ang budget na ito ay para sa pamilyang umaasang magiging mas abot-kaya ang presyo ng pagkain; sa magulang na nangangailangan ng maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan; sa batang nangangarap makapagtapos; sa magsasakang nangangailangan ng suporta; at sa manggagawang naghahangad ng disenteng trabaho at mas patas na pagkakataon,” Dy said.
“Sila ang dapat maging batayan ng ating mga prayoridad,” he added.
The Speaker said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. outlined the administration’s priorities during his State of the Nation Address, including strengthening national security and self-reliance while improving access to government services.
The proposed 2027 budget is expected to translate those priorities into spending programs covering food, energy, education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
With the NEP now before Congress, Dy said the House would work to ensure that the administration’s priorities are retained during the deliberations and reflected in the final General Appropriations Bill.
He also committed to maintaining transparency in the congressional budget process, citing reforms introduced last year, including the Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee (BARSC) and the livestreaming of bicameral meetings.
“Ang budget ay pera ng taumbayan. May karapatan silang malaman kung saan ito mapupunta. Sisikapin po natin na maging mas bukas pa ang pagbubuo ng ating national budget,” Dy said.
Dy also echoed the President’s call to prevent waste, improper spending and corruption, saying savings from unnecessary expenditures could instead be directed to classrooms, hospitals, food programs, jobs, agriculture and other public services.
“Iyan ang ating pananagutan: tiyaking ang pondo ay may malinaw na layunin, ang mga programa ay may tunay na pakinabang, at ang bawat desisyon ay may positibong epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he said.
In the coming weeks, lawmakers are expected to scrutinize the NEP, question government agencies and hear from stakeholders as the proposed spending plan moves through the congressional budget process.
The NEP will serve as the basis for the General Appropriations Bill, which Congress will deliberate on before the proposed allocations are enacted into law.
Photo courtesy of PhilStar
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