Philippines proposes P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027

The Philippine government has proposed a P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, representing a 7.8% increase over the 2026 proposal. The National Expenditure Program, submitted by Department of Budget and Management Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aims to prioritize education, health, food security, infrastructure, and climate resilience.

The proposed budget projects P5.21 trillion in revenues against P6.90 trillion in spending, resulting in a projected deficit of P1.69 trillion, or 5.1% of GDP. This spending plan arrives amid concerns regarding government underspending and public distrust following corruption scandals involving flood-control projects.

Recent heavy rains have highlighted the urgency of infrastructure needs, affecting over 261,000 people and causing six deaths. While the administration seeks to bolster disaster resilience, critics point to issues such as clogged drainage, deforestation, and the need for greater accountability in how flood-control funds are utilized to prevent bureaucratic paralysis or corruption.