The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) formally submitted the P7.2-trillion Fiscal Year 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Aug. 11, marking a 6% increase from the previous budget.
The Palace announced that DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon formally handed over the proposed 2027 NEP to President Marcos, which prioritizes education, healthcare, livelihood, security, and community empowerment in line with the government’s theme of “people-centered growth for an inclusive and resilient future”.
“Nakatuon ang budget sa edukasyon, kalusugan, kabuhayan, seguridad, at pagpapalakas ng mga komunidad alinsunod sa temang ‘people-centered growth for an inclusive and resilient future’,” according to Malacañang.
(The budget focuses on education, health, livelihood, security, and community strengthening, in line with the theme ‘people-centered growth for an inclusive and resilient future.’)
The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to receive the largest proposed allocation of P976 billion, and P176.5 billion for higher education, as education remains one of the government’s biggest priorities.
Additionally, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been included in the proposed 2027 national budget, with the department receiving the second largest proposed allocation of P644 billion, with flood control funding accounting for 16.17 percent of the total, after it was removed from the 2026 budget.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker urged Congress to carefully scrutinize the proposed budget cuts for health and agriculture in the 2027 national budget following the allocation of P353.8 billion for health sector from P448.1 billion in 2026, and P261.7 billion for agriculture from P297.1 billion in 2026.
Moreover, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) received a proposed allocation of P332.5 billion; P328.5 billion for the Department of National Defense (DND); P302.2 billion for the transport sector; P241.6 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and P86.3 billion for judiciary.
“Our national budget serves as our moral and economic compass. It must always point toward making life better for our people,” President Marcos stated.
The proposed 2027 national budget of P7.2 trillion is equivalent to 21.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
