The 2026 NEP amounts to P6.79 trillion, which is 22% of the projected GDP in 2026. This is also P163.2 billion higher than the target expenditure of P6.630 trillion, and 1.12 percentage points higher compared to the programmed 20.9% of GDP under the Medium-Term Fiscal Program (MTFP). For years, the government has perennially surpassed the programmed expenditure both nominally and as percentage of GDP. Notwithstanding higher revenues, the higher-than-programmed expenditures resulted in rising budget deficits which has also breached the fiscal targets. While the government’s resolve to slowly shift away from rapid fiscal consolidation and stimulate economic growth through higher government spending may be warranted, this should not come at the expense of transparency and sound fiscal management. Government efforts to focus the national budget more on education, health, social care, and infrastructure are steps in the right direction. Amid tight fiscal space, much still needs to be done to make the national budget more responsive to the needs of Filipinos, by promoting fiscal discipline, strategic allocation, and operational efficiency.