The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is optimistic that the deliberation on the 2026 national budget would remain on track amid leadership change at the House of Representatives (HOR).

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a United Arab Emirates-organized forum on Wednesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman hoped that the new leadership would follow the already set legislative calendar.

“Of course, we don’t want (a re-enacted budget). On-track naman sila, tuloy-tuloy naman ang budget deliberation natin (They are on-track and the budget deliberations are ongoing),” she said.

Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez formally resigned as House Speaker on Wednesday to allow full accountability and transparency in the wake of controversies hounding infrastructure projects.

With 253 votes, Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III was elected as the new speaker.

Pangandaman said the DBM will also monitor how the House deliberations will address the reduction in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget and its possible impact on infrastructure spending targets.

“Hindi pa namin na-compute sa target na 5 to 6 percent (of GDP), siguro tingnan muna natin kung anong mangyayari sa budget deliberation kung ano ‘yong effect,” she said.

Pangandaman said the infrastructure budget covers both “hard” and “soft” components, such as the construction of school buildings.

The DPWH earlier scrapped at least PHP255 billion in its proposed budget for locally-funded flood control projects. (PNA)