Malacañang has urged members of Congress to reconcile their opposing critiques of the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, following conflicting claims from lawmakers regarding its spending priorities.
The appeal came after one legislator criticized previous budgets for being overly focused on financial aid, while another alleged that the proposed allocation slashes social services to favor defense, infrastructure, and security.
Addressing the friction, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro suggested that lawmakers coordinate their feedback to present a unified stance.
“Siguro, dapat mag-usap-usap kayo para hindi kayo nagsasabog, hindi iba-iba iyong mga sinasabi,” she said.
Defending the administration’s budget proposal, Castro pointed to the ₱1.314-trillion allocation for education—which funds student aid and school feeding programs—as clear proof that the budget maintains a pro-poor focus.
“Ang edukasyon po ba ay pro-poor?” Castro said.
She further emphasized that the ₱1.467-trillion infrastructure fund is designed to spur economic development that benefits all citizens, regardless of income level.
“Ang pagpapatayo ng mga bridge, ng mga kalsada pro-poor?” Castro said.
Under the proposed 2027 expenditure plan, key allocations include ₱241.6 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), ₱235.5 billion for targeted cash transfers, ₱276.6 billion for agriculture, and ₱45.7 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. Additionally, domestic security has been allocated ₱452.4 billion, which encompasses ₱316.7 billion for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and ₱50 billion dedicated to military modernization.
Castro urged critics to review the national budget as a comprehensive package rather than fixating on specific line-item adjustments.
“Hindi puwede nating i-isolate lang or isa-isahin lang, lumiit ang budget dito,” she said.
“Ito pong lahat ng ginagawa ng Pangulo, ay pangkalahatan,” she added.
Reiterating the administration’s goal, Castro noted that the financial plan is structured for national progress.
“Lahat ng ginagawa dito makikinabang po lahat, hindi lang mahirap, hindi mayaman, lahat ng Pilipino,” she said.
Regarding public concern over reduced funding for the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Castro clarified that the decrease reflects completed capital projects from the prior year rather than budget cuts.
“May mga pagkakataon na malaki ang budget, let’s say ng UP-PGH sa taong 2026, kasi may proyekto diyan,” she said.
“Kung natapos na po ito noong nakaraang taon, so hindi na po idadagdag sa nasabing ahensiya, kasi tapos na iyong proyekto,” she added.
Castro also revealed that executive agencies originally requested a total of ₱11 trillion. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed officials to trim the spending plan down to ₱7.2 trillion by prioritizing essential government programs.
“Ang pagkakasabi po sa atin ng DBM, ang talagang unang supposed-to-be budget ay 11 trillion. Pero, sinabi ng Pangulo na unahin iyong dapat na unahin, kaya po bumaba ito ng 7.2 trillion,” she said.