Legarda affirms ratification of 2026 national budget, with reservations on health remittances

Senator Loren Legarda affirmed her support for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), highlighting its role in strengthening human capital while raising reservations on the national government’s lapses in mandated health revenues during her manifestation in plenary on December 29, 2025 as the Senate ratified said report paving the way for its transmittal to the Office of the President.

“Yesterday, the twenty-eighth (28th) of December 2025, in my capacity as a member of the Senate, I voted in favor of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, subject to certain reservations. My reservations arise from the National Government’s continued failure to remit PhilHealth’s actual legally mandated sin tax revenues from 2023 onward and statutory shares from PCSO and PAGCOR since 2019, undermining the Universal Health Care Act and delaying the transition to an institutionally guaranteed zero out-of-pocket care framework in public health facilities,” Legarda said.

Legarda emphasized that the enactment of the 2026 GAA must be followed by strict monitoring of health programs and projects to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

“Our shared responsibility does not end with the enactment of the 2026 GAA. We must continue to closely monitor and evaluate the implementation of health programs by the Department of Health, as well as projects across all implementing agencies, to ensure that approved appropriations translate into measurable outcomes and full value for public investment,” Legarda stressed.

Despite her reservations, Legarda further reaffirmed her support for the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, noting its vision of placing human development at the center of national growth.

“It seeks to strengthen human capital through sustained investments in health, education, agriculture, and other sectors that directly affect productivity and quality of life. It positions human development as a central driver of economic growth, rather than a secondary objective,” she said.

The four-term senator concluded with a clear call for accountability and purpose in public spending.

“Ang paglagdang ito ay hindi pormalidad lamang, bagkus ito’y paninindigan na ang bawat pisong inilalaan ay may malinaw na layunin at dapat maghatid ng tunay, nasusukat, at konkretong pakinabang sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Legarda said.

Legarda suportado ang pagratipika ng 2026 pambansang badyet, may reserbasyon sa remittance ng pondo para sa kalusugan

Suportado ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang pagratipika ng Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), na kanyang itinuturing na mahalagang hakbang sa pagpapatatag ng yamang-tao.

Sa kanyang pahayag sa plenaryo noong Disyembre 29, 2025, binigyang-diin niya ang reserbasyon sa mga pagkukulang ng pambansang pamahalaan sa remittance ng nakatakdang kita para sa kalusugan, kasabay ng pagpapatibay ng Senado sa naturang ulat na isusumite sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo.

“Yesterday, the twenty-eighth (28th) of December 2025, in my capacity as a member of the Senate, I voted in favor of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, subject to certain reservations. My reservations arise from the National Government’s continued failure to remit PhilHealth’s actual legally mandated sin tax revenues from 2023 onward and statutory shares from PCSO and PAGCOR since 2019, undermining the Universal Health Care Act and delaying the transition to an institutionally guaranteed zero out-of-pocket care framework in public health facilities,” pahayag ni Legarda.

Binigyang-diin ni Legarda na ang pagpapatibay ng 2026 GAA ay dapat sundan ng mahigpit na pagbabantay sa mga programang pangkalusugan at proyekto upang matiyak ang pananagutan at nasusukat na resulta.

“Our shared responsibility does not end with the enactment of the 2026 GAA. We must continue to closely monitor and evaluate the implementation of health programs by the Department of Health, as well as projects across all implementing agencies, to ensure that approved appropriations translate into measurable outcomes and full value for public investment,” diin ni Legarda.

Sa kabila ng kanyang reserbasyon, muling pinagtibay ni Legarda ang suporta sa Ulat ng Bicameral Conference Committee, at binigyang-pansin ang bisyon nitong ilagay ang pag-unlad ng tao sa sentro ng pambansang kaunlaran.

“It seeks to strengthen human capital through sustained investments in health, education, agriculture, and other sectors that directly affect productivity and quality of life. It positions human development as a central driver of economic growth, rather than a secondary objective,”pahayag ng senadora.

Bilang pagtatapos, nagbigay si Legarda ng malinaw na panawagan para sa pananagutan at layunin sa paggastos ng pamahalaan.

“Ang paglagdang ito ay hindi pormalidad lamang, bagkus ito’y paninindigan na ang bawat pisong inilalaan ay may malinaw na layunin at dapat maghatid ng tunay, nasusukat, at konkretong pakinabang sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” pahayag ni Legarda. (30)