Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Saturday expressed deep concern over what he described as a drastic reduction in the Department of National Defense’s (DND) proposed 2026 budget.
“Nakakaalarma ang laki ng ibinawas sa pondo ng Department of National Defense,” Estrada said in a statement.
From the original proposal of ₱133.74 billion, the allocation reportedly dropped to just ₱90 billion.
“Mula sa panukalang P133.74 bilyon para sa 2026 ay binawasan sa P90 bilyon sa National Expenditure Program — kung saan P50 bilyon dito ay kabilang pa sa unprogrammed appropriations, ibig sabihin nakadepende pa ito sa sobrang koleksyon ng kita at mga dayuhang grant,” he noted.
Estrada stressed that the defense sector requires substantial funding to acquire modern equipment essential for national security.
“Handa ang ating mga sundalo na ipagtanggol ang bansa, ngunit dapat bigyan natin sila ng tamang kagamitan at makabagong teknolohiya para magawa ito nang epektibo,” the senator added.