The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), under the leadership of Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, has begun the process of crafting the 2026 national budget with a series of consultations at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The National Budget Call Forum, held on Monday, January 27, 2025, marks the commencement of the preparatory phase for the National Expenditure Program, which will detail the President’s budget proposal for the upcoming year.
During the forum, Secretary Pangandaman urged department and agency heads to collaborate closely with their technical teams to ensure their budget proposals are complete and meet all necessary requirements, particularly those in tier 2. She emphasized the importance of timely and accurate submissions to facilitate a smooth budget preparation process.
A significant focus of the 2026 budget planning is the integration of the Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) approach. Secretary Pangandaman announced that PCB would now be a formal component of the budget process, moving away from its previous status as a mere wishlist. This approach aims to enhance the efficiency of resource allocation across government departments by aligning resources with key programs and projects that have clear, coordinated objectives.
National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan underscored the role of PCB in reducing inefficiencies in government spending. He noted that the approach would help address overlaps, duplications, and gaps in the approximately 5,000 programs, activities, and projects registered annually in the NEDA Public Investment Program, ensuring better alignment with the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan.
The DBM also recently conducted a separate forum on the implementation of the 2025 national budget, which was attended by Cabinet members and government officials. This session aimed to clarify budget processes and enhance transparency in government spending.