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The House Committee on Appropriations will begin the discussion on the proposed 2027 national budget on August 17, 2026. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is invited to the upcoming event.
The committee will conduct the budget briefings and hearings to discuss sources of financing, expenditure levels, and budget proposals from government departments, agencies, and state-owned corporations.
The House aims to wrap up committee-level budget briefings on September 8, 2026. In budget briefings, each agency presents the requested funds and its intended allocations.
Lawmakers will then review the proposals to determine whether the allocation is reasonable and aligns with the priorities of the government.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing stated that after committee hearings, the plenary deliberations will be next, before the lawmakers vote for the proposed budget.
The House targets to approve the House General Appropriations Bill in third reading on October 9, 2026.
With reports from Evan Alvarez
Amid persistent heavy rainfall, a river wall in Brgy. Prensa Dos, Marilao, Bulacan collapsed on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The collapsed structure measured approximately 45 meters in length and 12 meters in height. The project was funded with P5 million from the local government unit.
Prensa Dos Barangay Chairman Herbert Clemente explained that the project served as an additional wall to protect the area against overflowing river currents.
However, the wall unexpectedly gave way due to continuous strong currents following four consecutive days of heavy rain.
A contractor from JB Construction emphasized that the materials used in the project are not substandard. They strictly complied with the approved program of works and attributed the collapse to the heavy water volume caused by the severe weather.
The municipal and barangay officials have urged residents to be cautious. Children are strictly prohibited from swimming in the river or approaching the site of the collapsed wall.
With reports from Nestor Torres
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has revoked the work permits of six Chinese nationals over illegal labor concerns.
“Ito yung sinasabi na dumating na lang, sinundo sa airport, pumunta roon, nagkaroon na lang ng AEP (Alien Employment Permit). Wala kaming records dito na mayroon silang AEP,” DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said
[“This is what we’re saying: it just arrived, picked up at the airport, go there, and suddenly possessed an AEP. We have no record that they hold an AEP.”]
“Hindi ko na ma-pronounce 'yung mga pangalan nung anim. So nakakuha sila kung saan man, so we revoke that,” he added
[“I’ll not be able to pronounce the name of the six individuals. So, they obtained them wherever, so we revoke that.”]
Sec. Tolentino emphasized the gravity of illegal foreign labor following the revelations that some workers were directly brought into the country from mainland China without necessary legal documentation or employment permits.
The Secretary also raised concerns over potential health and safety hazards due to the possible presence of nuclear waste and radioactive material in the facility of Chuangxing Steel Inc.
He also requested a company representative in the hearing to assist the government in locating the other 33 missing Chinese nationals, because the agency fears that some of them may have been exposed to radiation.
“So para mapadali po ito, pwede ba matulungan niyo kami to locate to find their whereabouts? Kasi unang-una natatakot ang Department of Health na baka may sakit na rin ito ng radiation,” he said to the official
[“To expedite this, could you help us to locate and find their whereabouts? First and foremost, the Department of Health is concerned that they might already be suffering from radiation illness.”]
In response, a representative from Chuangxing Steel Inc. stated that they need to coordinate with the other officials of the company because they are not sure of the exact location of those missing Chinese nationals.
The DOLE continues to coordinate with concerned agencies to profile the workforce, verify the records, and determine the potentially affected workers.
With reports from Mia Alonzo
Several major roads in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) remain impassable due to landslides and road obstructions. Among those affected areas are Kennon Road and the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road in Beckel, La Trinidad. Those are both key routes in and out of Baguio City.
Affected road sections were also reported in Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
Authorities have yet to provide a definite time for reopening the closed road sections because the clearing operations and safety assessments are still ongoing.
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
Kennon Road
Benguet Nueva-Vizcaya Road
Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road
Tabuk-Banaue via Tanudan-Barlig Road
Motorists are urged to avoid closed road sections for safety. Always check government advisories before departing. The monitoring of road conditions across the Cordillera region is ongoing.
With reports from Grace Doctolero
Many schools across the country have been affected by Tropical Storm Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat). Consequently, classes in several areas have been suspended due to damaged school facilities.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), an estimated P165.2 million fund is needed for the repair and cleanup operations to more than 800 disaster-hit schools.
The operations aim to restore and repair facilities before classes resume once the weather improves.
Aside from school building repairs, the agency reports several damages in equipment and materials, including over 600 chairs, more than 400 ICT equipment unit, and over 7,000 learning materials.
Currently, more than 100 schools are being utilized as evacuation centers, and 387 classrooms serve as temporary shelters for affected families.
Amid disasters, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the welfare and safety of students and teachers must always be considered.
According to DepEd, the learning provisions are set to be deployed for schools that are unable to conduct regular classes amid disaster; the provisions include printed learning pockets, alternative delivery materials, and emergency learning resources.
Schools have also been instructed to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), disaster risk reduction and management offices, and DepEd field offices to determine the appropriate learning continuity level in their respective areas.
With reports from Mia Alonzo
