00:00The proposed 2026 National Budget or National Expenditure Program is in the President's hands.
00:06Over the next five and a half months, the DBM's proposed allocations will change in the committee hearings,
00:11plenary and bicameral debates with last-minute insertion sneaked in.
00:16Ultimately, the final bicam numbers or amount should come close to the NEP figures,
00:21lest it be returned by the President as per my report.
00:24A Stronger Bagong Pilipinas.
00:29That's the vision behind the National Expenditure Program or NEP 2026,
00:34officially presented today to President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. by the Department of Budget and Management or DBM.
00:40The proposed national budget for next year reached 6.793 trillion pesos,
00:44higher than this year's 6.326 trillion peso allocation.
00:48It aims to sustain the administration's priority programs and projects.
00:52Anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,
00:56education remains a top priority, delivering quality and accessible learning to Filipino students.
01:01Healthcare systems will be strengthened to better respond to the nation's medical needs.
01:06Social protection programs will be expanded to give the poorest families a more dignified life.
01:11And food security will be pursued by ensuring a stable, sufficient and affordable supply.
01:16The administration vows to give every Filipino opportunities and support to help drive economic growth.
01:23Senate President Chief Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez also witnessed the NEP presentation,
01:29which the DBM is set to submit to Congress.
01:31President Marcus warns,
01:33If projects are questionable or not aligned with the NEP,
01:36he is ready to send the general appropriations bill back to Congress,
01:40even if it means having a reenacted budget in 2026.
01:44Also today, the president witnessed the ceremonial presentation of the newly signed Government Optimization Act.
01:50The measure gives the chief executive the authority to abolish, merge, transfer, reduce or establish government offices
01:56to cut duplication and confusion and prevent wastage of public funds.
02:01The law applies to all agencies, except schools, the military, police and other uniformed personnel.
02:07This is Sharm Zespina from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
