The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved House Bill No. 10858, or the proposed ₱7.2-trillion General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027, as amended, on second reading.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, sponsor of the proposed bill, said the House version incorporates amendments aimed at making the budget more responsive to the immediate needs of Filipinos while strengthening preparedness for emerging challenges, including the projected impact of the super El Niño.

Approved amendments included expanding sitio electrification activities under the National Rural Electrification Program. The provision authorizes the National Electrification Administration, through electric cooperatives, to use appropriated funds to rehabilitate, upgrade, install, or replace distribution facilities and equipment needed to reduce system losses and improve the reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution.

The House also approved an amendment to the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), changing the provision to read: “Personnel Economic Relief Allowance for at least Two Thousand Pesos (₱2,000) per month.”

Suansing explained that inserting “at least” provides flexibility while the Executive determines the final form of any additional allowance.

“Because in its current form, that General Provision limits the amount. It tags it to be ₱2,000. So that doesn’t give us any flexibility once the Executive does decide on the shape or form of this additional allowance,” she said.

For education, Suansing highlighted the additional ₱2.1 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy. Moreover, the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) recommended an additional ₱1.77 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program, which had no funding in the National Expenditure Program.

The Committee likewise recommended an additional ₱500 million for the School Safety and Security Program, which also had zero allocation in the NEP.Suansing also underscored the House’s effort to make the 2027 budget “Super El Niño-ready,” particularly for the agriculture sector.

“Bilang kinatawan po ng Unang Distrito ng Nueva Ecija, ang rice granary po ng ating bansa, I would like to be the first to advocate for additional support for our farmers,” Suansing said.

She noted that the BARSc recommendations include an additional ₱10 billion for thePresidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk, ₱500 million for Expanded Fertilizer Assistance, ₱4.09 billion for irrigation projects nationwide, ₱150 million for agricultural transport infrastructure, ₱4.96 billion for Farm-to-Market Roads, ₱100 million for high-value crops, particularly ube, and ₱330 million for Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support.

“These amendments bring the total additional funding for agriculture approved by the House and recommended by the BARSc to ₱20.86 billion,” Suansing remarked.

The transport sector also received additional support, including ₱1 billion for the Fuel Subsidy Program.

“Fuel subsidy in the NEP is currently at zero, and the recommendation of the BARSc is to put ₱1 billion into the program. Ito po ang unang rumesponde sa pangangailangan ng mga PUV drivers, tricycle drivers, at bus drivers noong nagkaroon po ng kaguluhan sa Middle East at tumaas ang presyo ng krudo,” the Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations said.

Moreover, the House accepted amendments allocating ₱250 million for service contracting and ₱250 million for capital outlay for the said sector.

During the deliberations, Suansing likewise confirmed additional allocations recommended by the BARSc for social welfare programs. These include ₱25 million for Project ProtecTEEN, ₱25 million for Project Aruga, and ₱13.8 million for Project SAFE. The substitute bill also included an additional ₱20 million for the DSWD Special Committee on LGBTQIA+.

The Committee on Appropriations also accepted proposed increases of ₱68 million under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Organizational Outcome 2 and ₱66 million under the Basic Infrastructure Program.

The Committee approved an amendment to increase funding for the Medical Assistance Program for hospitalization, ensuring that more Filipinos can access essential medical services. The said amendments demonstrate the House’s commitment to a budget process that prioritizes measurable outcomes and directly addresses the pressing needs of the Filipino people.

The 2027 budget process, she added, forms part of the House’s continuing reforms toward accountability, and public participation, consistent with Speaker Faustino Dy III’s vision of a “Bagong Kongreso” and a Congress worthy of the Filipino people’s trust.

The House is set to consider the General Appropriations Bill on third and final reading on Monday, October 12. House Public Communications Bureau