THE House Committee on Appropriations, led by Chairperson Mika Suansing and Vice Chairperson Rufus Rodriguez, will begin scrutinizing the 2026 Proposed National Budget today, August 18.
The agenda includes adopting the Budget Schedule and Rules of Procedure for the 20th Congress.
“The committee is committed to full transparency in the budget process,” said Rodriguez.
Key changes include replacing the “small committee” for amendments, which previously added individual changes after the final reading.
Instead, a “sub-committee on budget amendments review” will be formed, according to Rodriguez.
Operating parallel to budget deliberations, it will receive proposed amendments throughout the budget season from September to October.
Their deliberations will be transparent and open to the public.
Further demonstrating its commitment to transparency, Rodriguez said that the committee will:
- Open Bicameral Conference proceedings to the general public.
- Allow the participation of civil society organizations and non-government actors as observers during all stages of the budget process, from agency presentations to plenary deliberations and bicameral meetings.
Vice Chair Rep. Rodriguez has also expressed his full commitment to upholding transparency in the budget process, while simultaneously advocating for increased budget allocations for Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro City.
