Senate President Win Gatchalian said the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 should serve as a catalyst for economic growth as the country faces global financial headwinds, including persistently high oil prices and the potential impact of a severe El Niño.
The proposed budget, submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), is 6 percent higher than this year’s P6.793-trillion national budget and is equivalent to 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Gatchalian stressed that next year’s spending plan should help stimulate economic activity while addressing domestic and global challenges, including the need to manage the country’s growing debt.
Despite supporting a stimulus-oriented budget, the Senate President assured the public that the Senate would subject the proposed budget to rigorous scrutiny to ensure prudent use of public funds.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Finance during last year’s budget deliberations, Gatchalian led the passage of reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the national budgeting process.
He added that while the government must continue prioritizing investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare to improve the quality of life of Filipinos, safeguards should also be in place to prevent abuse and ensure that public funds are spent solely for the welfare of the people.
