Cayetano flags gaps in 2026 national budget priorities

MANILA, Philippines — As implementation of the P6.793-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026 begins, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated long-standing concerns over what he described as missed opportunities to make public spending more transformative, particularly for rural communities, children, and local governments.

Cayetano voted against the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), now signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the budget fell short of delivering meaningful reform despite improvements introduced during congressional deliberations.

While welcoming the veto of P92.5 billion worth of items under unprogrammed appropriations, Cayetano said the move, though positive, was insufficient to qualify the budget as a “game-changer.”

“This is a much better budget than last year, but it’s still not a game-changer budget,” Cayetano said during Senate debates, stressing that reforms must be evident in actual spending priorities.

He pointed to persistent weaknesses in rural development funding, regional infrastructure, and support for local government units (LGUs), noting that Metro Manila continues to receive a disproportionate share of development spending.

Cayetano also cited the continued absence of funding for the Mindanao Railway, which was suspended in 2023, saying its exclusion undermines the government’s stated commitment to decentralization and inclusive growth.

“We agree that development should not be concentrated in Metro Manila, but the budget is not reflecting that,” he said.

The Minority Leader further warned that inadequate funding for mass transportation outside Luzon, climate adaptation, and LGU support places added strain on local governments, which serve as the frontlines of public service delivery.

Another major concern raised by Cayetano is child stunting, which he described as a growing national emergency with long-term economic and social consequences.

“Many stunted children will become future persons with disabilities. The earlier we intervene, the less we spend later,” he said, calling for stronger investment in early childhood nutrition.

As budget execution moves forward, Cayetano said the Senate minority will closely monitor implementation, emphasizing that genuine reform should be measured by outcomes felt in communities, not merely by figures on paper.