Try GOLD - Free
Record infra budget set for 2026
Manila Bulletin
|August 14 2025
The Marcos Jr. administration will ramp up infrastructure spending in 2026, with a record P1.556 trillion set aside for its centerpiece "Build Better More" (BBM) program under the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget.
Budget documents showed that the infrastructure disbursements program for next year totaling P1.558 trillion—including subsidy, equity, and transfers to local government units (LGUs)—is higher than this year's total allocation of P1.513 trillion and 2024's actual P1.545 trillion spent on infra projects.
In a text message to Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman confirmed that the 2026 infrastructure program is the highest to date.
The annual budget on public infrastructure development is projected to increase to new highs of P1.692 trillion in 2027 and P1.904 trillion in 2028.
But as a share to gross domestic product (GDP), the 2026 infrastructure program is equivalent to 5.1 percent of GDP, lower than the programmed 5.3 percent for 2025 and the 5.8 percent recorded in 2024.
According to the President's budget message, the administration targets infrastructure spending equivalent to five to six percent of GDP.
This story is from the August 14 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
What's luck got to do with it?
It’s now 2026.
3 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Embassy of Hungary hosts Christmas friendship screening of 'Nagykarácsony'
The Embassy of Hungary in Manila wrapped up an extraordinary year with a festive celebration that brought together culture, community, and holiday cheer.
1 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Indonesia marks 80 years of independence, 76 years of Indonesia-PH diplomatic ties
The Indonesian Embassy in Manila hosted a diplomatic reception at the New World Hotel Makati to mark two historic milestones: the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence and the 76th anniversary of Indonesia—Philippines bilateral relations.
2 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
My wish list for Mindanao’s growth in 2026
(Part II)
3 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Agri sector wins P297-B funding
The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects the country to make headway in its long-term food security agenda after the signing of the P6.79-trillion 2026 national budget for the year, which provides higher allocation for the agency.
1 min
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Remove RPT
Under Article XIII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, the State is mandated to make decent housing and basic services” available to underprivileged and homeless citizens at an affordable cost.
2 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Kings show own depth
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone was just glad to see his bench players deliver — more so outplay San Miguel's supporting cast in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
1 min
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Mayor Isko optimistic about a prosperous 2026 for Manila
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno\" Domagoso expressed optimism for a more prosperous 2026 as he delivered his New Year's message during the city’s first flag raising ceremony for the year at the Manila City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5.
1 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
US eyes 'oil quarantine' in Venezuela
Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the United States would not govern Venezuela day-to-day other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country, even as President Donald Trump again insisted that the US would be in control following its ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro.
4 mins
January 6, 2026
Manila Bulletin
P1.015-T DepEd budget to accelerate major educational reforms - Angara
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, January 5, said it is set to roll out major reforms in 2026 after President Marcos signed the P6.793-trillion national budget, granting the agency a historic P1.015-trillion allocation-the largest education budget in recent years and the first to meet the UNESCO benchmark for education spending.
2 mins
January 6, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size