Senate President Win Gatchalian pushed for stricter financial discipline following news that the Philippine government’s total debt balance rose to a record high of ₱19.39 trillion at the end of July.
In an official statement, Gatchalian highlighted that public borrowing needs to bring tangible, lasting economic advantages to the Filipino public.
“We must strengthen revenue collection mechanisms and plug leakages to ensure that all government revenue-generating agencies hit their prescribed targets,” he said.
Gatchalian pressed his appeal as the Senate conducts parallel budget review hearings for various state agencies.
“Sa pagbusisi ng Senado sa national budget, palalakasin natin ang mga probisyon para sa transparency at accountability upang isara ang mga puwang para sa korapsyon,” he said.
“Responsibilidad natin sa susunod na henerasyon na tiyaking ang mga pondong inuutang natin ngayon ay hindi magiging mabigat na pasaning pinansyal na sila ang magbabayad pagdating ng panahon,” he added.
The call for fiscal responsibility aligns with Congress’s review of the Marcos administration’s proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2027, submitted on August 11.
The requested spending package marks a 6% increase from the ₱6.793-trillion budget enacted for 2026.