MANILA — Nearly P206 billion in funding realignments introduced by the House of Representatives in the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 have raised alarm in the Senate, with major railway projects, disaster preparedness and healthcare programs facing substantial cuts while billions of pesos were redirected to other government priorities.
Senate finance committee chairperson JV Ejercito warned that the sweeping adjustments could severely restrict the Senate’s ability to introduce its own institutional amendments, raising questions about the priorities behind the House-approved spending measure.
Among the most significant reductions identified in the Senate’s initial review were P130 billion for foreign-assisted projects and P40.4 billion in transportation allocations, including funding for two major railway projects intended to improve mobility and connectivity across Luzon.
The Metro Manila Subway Project suffered a P19.7-billion reduction, while the North-South Commuter Railway lost P15 billion in proposed funding.
Disaster preparedness and public health programs were likewise affected, with P9.5 billion slashed from the calamity fund, P4.6 billion from flood control structures in major river basins, P4.4 billion from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program and P4 billion from immunization programs.
Additional reductions included P2.6 billion for right-of-way acquisition and P2 billion for health promotion initiatives.
Ejercito disclosed the findings after the Senate received the House-approved General Appropriations Bill on Tuesday, with copies distributed to senators and other concerned offices the following morning.
He said the magnitude of the adjustments left the Senate with extremely limited flexibility to accommodate additional funding requirements for government agencies and programs.
“Ang initial ano ay sa ilang trilyon, almost P206 [billion] ang nagalaw or naiba. So wala na hong naiwan para sa Senado dito na para naman sa mga institutional amendments. Kumbaga limitadong limitado na kami dito,” Ejercito said.
While several infrastructure and healthcare programs suffered substantial reductions, other government initiatives received billions of pesos in additional appropriations under the House version.
The Department of Agriculture secured a new P10-billion allocation for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
The Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program, meanwhile, received an additional P23.9 billion.
The Department of Public Works and Highways also gained P13 billion for road construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and widening projects, along with another P8.04 billion for flood mitigation structures.
The contrasting adjustments have placed the House’s spending priorities under scrutiny, particularly the reductions affecting long-term infrastructure development, disaster response capabilities and essential public health services.
Ejercito acknowledged that reallocating funds was a normal part of the legislative budget process but emphasized that lawmakers must establish the justification for the changes and determine whether the revised appropriations would serve those most in need.
“Ang kailangan lang tiyakin natin na malaman natin ang mga pagbabago, ano ang dahilan at purpose at kung paano mapupunta ba ito sa pangunahing may kailangan. But be reassured that we will always maintain our transparency from the start,” he said.
The senator also called on civil society organizations and independent budget watchdogs to closely scrutinize the proposed appropriations during Senate hearings and subsequent bicameral conference committee deliberations.
The bicameral panel will eventually reconcile conflicting provisions in the House and Senate versions before the final spending measure is submitted for presidential approval.
Ejercito directed the Senate finance committee’s subcommittees to submit their respective reports by October 23 to facilitate the chamber’s review of the spending proposal.
Plenary deliberations on the 2027 national budget are scheduled to begin on November 23.
The House approved its version of the General Appropriations Bill on third and final reading Monday, with 281 lawmakers voting in favor, 13 against and one abstaining.
The Senate’s examination of the P206-billion adjustments is expected to focus on the justification for the funding shifts, their implications for government services and whether the revised allocations adequately address the country’s infrastructure, disaster preparedness and healthcare requirements./PN
