Lagman Rejects 2026 Budget Over Unprogrammed Appropriations
LEGAZPI CITY — Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman announced she would not sign the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) because it contains unprogrammed appropriations, commonly known as insertions. Her stance highlights ongoing concerns about budgetary practices despite reforms aimed at transparency and accountability.
Why Lagman Is Concerned About Unprogrammed Appropriations
In a statement sent to The Manila Times, Lagman said she remains “conscionably disturbed by the continuing presence of unprogrammed appropriations.” She argued that allowing insertions can open the door to arbitrary fund allocations and possible misappropriation, a concern she says must be addressed to prevent a recurrence of “grave abuse.”
Lagman added that she would “personally opt for the scrapping of unprogrammed appropriations altogether,” signaling a preference for a stricter, more transparent budget framework. Despite acknowledging some reforms in House Bill 4058, she stated she would vote “No” unless the practice is curbed and the budget remains aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the needs of vulnerable sectors.
Balancing Urgent Needs and Fiscal Prudence
The lawmaker stressed that if unprogrammed funds are to be endorsed at all, they should serve the prompt delivery of critical social and economic services. She emphasized that any such allocations must not exceed the amounts outlined in the NEP, reflecting a push for disciplined budgeting consistent with fiscal reforms made in prior years.
Lagman also raised concerns about over-reliance on debt service within the 2026 budget. She pointed out that the debt service appropriation appears largely dedicated to interest payments, while principal repayments will require substantial future borrowing. This framing, she argued, could hamper the government’s ability to fund essential programs like education, nutrition, and health services.
Context: Debt, Deficits, and the Role of Congressional Oversight
The congresswoman warned that the country faces a challenging debt trajectory, with projections indicating that principal payments and borrowing needs will be substantial. She described the path to reducing the national debt as “Herculean” and stressed the importance of careful oversight to ensure that future budgets support growth, resilience, and essential public services rather than masking underlying fiscal pressures.
Previous Controversies and Accountability Concerns
Lagman has a history of scrutinizing budget allocations in her district and beyond. She recalled a 2025 budget controversy, noting that fund insertions led to the diversion of a substantial sum for a district project, which she described as inappropriate use given competing needs. Her remarks underscore a broader call for transparency and accountability in how appropriations are carved out and monitored across Congress.
<h2 Looking Ahead: Supplemental Budgets as a Balancing Tool
Lagman acknowledged the potential value of supplemental budgets to address contingencies without compromising the integrity of the main GAA. She argued that a supplemental budget could provide necessary agility during emergencies while preserving the deliberate deliberation that characterizes the annual budget process.
<h2 Conclusion
As debates over the 2026 budget continue, Lagman’s stance highlights a persistent tension between urgent social needs and rigorous fiscal discipline. Her call to arms against unprogrammed appropriations places accountability at the forefront of budget reforms and signals that future allocations will be scrutinized more closely to ensure that public funds serve frontline services and long-term national priorities.
