Budget hearings set for September 1

The House of Representatives is looking at September 1 as the start of formal deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, with initial preparations already underway despite the slightly delayed calendar.

“Our target for our DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) briefing shall be September 1,” said Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations.

Suansing noted that while the submission of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress is tentatively expected by August 13, several intermediary steps still need to take place before the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is formally filed.

She explained that although the budget hearings this year may begin later than in previous cycles, the committee has already lined up preliminary activities.

Suansing said the slight shift is due to the congressional calendar, since the regular session of Congress had yet to convene when the NEP calendar was being finalized.

Despite the timing, the Novo Ecijano solon assured that the committee is confident of meeting its deadline.

As in previous years, the appropriations committee is planning to hold simultaneous budget hearings to hasten the process.

This strategy of parallel deliberations allows the committee to cover more ground within a tight legislative window, particularly during a first regular session when time is often constrained by other priority measures.

Suansing said the House will continue engaging in early consultations even before the DBCC briefing.

These early activities are part of what she described as a “People’s Budget Review,” aimed at gathering broader input from stakeholders and experts.

Suansing also acknowledged the heavy workload expected in the coming weeks.

“We will get the budget done on time. And we will make sure that this is very strongly deliberated on,” she said, expressing full confidence that the House will complete its task before the end of the year despite the looming challenge.