BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod City approved on third and final reading the proposed P4.75-billion annual budget for 2026 during its regular session on December 4.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the SP Committee on Appropriations and Finance, said the 2026 budget represents an increase of P350 million from the 2025 allocation. The additional funds will come largely from the city’s National Tax Allotment (NTA), which has increased by more than P300 million.
For 2025, Bacolod’s NTA share amounted to P2.234 billion from a total budget of P4.4 billion, with the remainder sourced from local revenues. Next year, the NTA will contribute P2.57 billion, or 54 percent of the total budget, while local revenues will account for P2.17 billion.
A significant portion of the annual budget is allocated to social services, including financial assistance for solo parents, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), support for senior citizens, and other welfare programs. The Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) will also receive a substantial share, along with P400 million set aside for loan repayments.
In addition, the SP approved funds for the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) bonus for more than 1,000 regular and plantilla casual city hall employees. Each employee will receive P30,000, on top of other bonuses already granted.
Sayson emphasized that the 2026 budget balances national and local resources while prioritizing social services, health programs, and employee welfare to ensure continued public service delivery./PN
