The House Committee on Appropriations, led by Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing, resumes deliberations this week on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2027. Lawmakers are set to scrutinize key agencies responsible for education, health, justice, digital connectivity, tourism, social protection and employment.
On Monday, September 7, the committee will take up the proposed budgets of the Department of Education, Department of Health, the Judiciary, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Tourism.
Presentations will be led by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, and Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay.
Deliberations will continue on Tuesday, September 8, with focus shifting to social welfare and employment. Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino are scheduled to brief lawmakers on their agencies’ 2027 funding priorities, spending plans and core social protection programs.
These upcoming hearings follow the committee’s review last Thursday, September 3, which covered transportation, agrarian reform, foreign affairs, and human rights. Among the highlights was the Department of Transportation’s proposed P300.96-billion allocation, representing a 118.33 percent increase from its 2026 budget.
The committee also wrapped up deliberations on the Department of Agrarian Reform’s proposed P14.61-billion budget after Secretary Conrado Estrella III outlined efforts to accelerate land distribution, expand mobile agrarian justice, and resolve pending cases. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro presented the Department of Foreign Affairs’ P35.17-billion proposal, revealing plans to roll out a redesigned Philippine passport featuring enhanced security controls and contactless chip technology by June 2027.