PASAY CITY—The Bicameral Conference Committee officially signed the reconciled version of the ₱6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026 on Sunday, December 28 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

Lawmakers from both chambers signed off on House Bill No. 4058 after weeks of intensive deliberations. This final version aligns the differing provisions of the House and Senate proposals, clearing the path for the budget’s enactment before the new fiscal year begins.

The approved spending plan resulted from a four-day marathon of meetings held between December 13 to 18. Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sen. Sherwing Gatchalian, who led the Senate contingent, characterized the 2026 budget as the "most transparent in recent memory." 

“Dahil nga po maraming adjustments ang ginawa para po maging mas transparent, mas klaro, mas naintindihan po ng taumbayan yung pagbabalangkas po nv ating pambansang budget.” Sanator Gatchalian emphasized on his opening statement.

["Because many adjustments were made to ensure greater transparency and clarity, the public now has a better understanding of how our national budget is formulated."]

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations and Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing promised the public that the bicam exhausted all their efforts to formulate a transparent and accountable 2026 national budget.

“Ang amin pong masasabi sa ating kababayan, ito pong budget na ito ay talagang pinaghirapan na buohin ng kongreso at ng senado at ginawa po namin ang lahat para ito po ay maging transparent, accountable, siguraduhin po na ito ay tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan.” Congressman Suansing said. 

["What we can say to our fellow citizens is that this budget was truly a result of the hard work of both the Congress and the Senate. We have done everything to ensure it is transparent and accountable, and to guarantee that it truly responds to the needs of our people."]

The negotiations focused on reconciling funding gaps and ensuring that departmental allocations met the administration's key developmental priorities for the upcoming year.

With the Bicameral report now sealed, the bill will be transmitted to the President's desk for his signature, ensuring the government operates under a fresh mandate by 2026.

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