MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said higher salaries for government employees and increased funding for local government units (LGUs) are among the major factors behind changes in the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, Garin said the fourth tranche of salary adjustments and higher LGU allocations under the Mandanas Law took up a significant portion of the proposed budget.
The proposed LGU allocation increased to ₱1.533 trillion, from ₱1.393 trillion in the approved 2026 budget. This includes funding for the National Tax Allotment, infrastructure, and the ₱78.4-billion Bangsamoro Annual Block Grant.
The Department of Budget and Management said the proposed 2027 budget is 6% higher than the ₱6.793-trillion budget approved for 2026.
Some agencies, including the departments of Education, Health, Agriculture, and Social Welfare and Development, have lower proposed allocations, while funding for Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government, National Defense, and Transportation is set to increase.
Garin said the government will continue to focus on social services while maintaining long-term investments such as infrastructure projects.
