The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Saturday backed the proposal to livestream all congressional budget deliberations to promote transparency and public engagement.

During the Quezon Educators’ Research Convention, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to ensure the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) conforms to the priorities set in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“Bilang kalihim niyo sa Department of Budget and Management, sinusuportahan ko po ang panukalang i-livestream at gawing mas accessible sa publiko ang lahat ng budget deliberations ng Kongreso, ng Senado, kasama na rin po ang bicameral conference committee proceedings (As your Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, I support the proposal to livestream and make all budget deliberations in Congress and the Senate, including the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more accessible to the public),” she said.

“Sa ganitong paraan po, mas matibay ang transparency at mas aktibo ang partisipasyon ng bawat Pilipino sa pagbabantay ng ating pambansang budget (In this way, transparency will be strengthened and every Filipino will be able to participate more actively in monitoring our national budget),” Pangandaman added.

She said increased transparency would empower Filipinos to actively monitor how public funds are allocated.

She emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strong appeal to lawmakers not to deviate from the 2026 NEP.

“This is our 2026 National Expenditure Program or the President’s budget. Maaari po itong magbago ng kaunti, depende po sa deliberations ng Kongreso (It may change slightly, depending on the deliberations in Congress),” Pangandaman said.

The NEP serves as the basis of Congress in crafting the General Appropriations Bill, which becomes the General Appropriations Act once signed into law by the President.

The DBM on Wednesday transmitted to the Senate and House of Representatives the 2026 NEP containing the proposed PHP6.793 trillion budget for 2026.

The proposed national budget is 7.4 percent higher than the enacted 2025 budget.

Education, public works and health remain the top sectors to receive the biggest allocations for 2026. (PNA)