Top 10 agencies with biggest budget based on 2026 bicam

After months of budget deliberations in both the House and Senate, Congress ratified the 2026 bicameral budget report on Monday, December 29.

The budget is now awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval, expected on January 5, 2026. Agency allocations remain fluid, as Marcos may veto some line items.

While waiting for presidential approval, Rappler lists the top 10 government agencies with the highest budget allocations based on the 2026 bicam report.

1. DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) received the largest budget allocation among government agencies, according to the 2026 bicam report.

Lawmakers agreed to allot P961 billion, up from the P874.5 billion proposed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). DepEd continues to face challenges such as the learning crisis and classroom backlogs.

2. DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), currently under scrutiny for flood control corruption, ranked second with P529.6 billion.

This is substantially lower than the agency’s initial NEP proposal of P880 billion. During the bicam, DPWH made a last-minute appeal to restore its slashed budget allocation in the Senate because of adjustments in the prices of construction materials.

3. DILG

The bicam allocated P308.4 billion to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), slightly higher than its P308 billion NEP request. Around 73% of DILG’s budget will go to the Philippine National Police.

4. DND

The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to receive P305.9 billion under the bicam report, larger than its P295-billion budget proposal.

5. DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) saw its allocation increased to P297.9 billion, 17% higher than its NEP proposal.

6. DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will get P269.9 billion, pending presidential approval. This represents a 20.9% increase from the NEP’s P232.2 billion.

The agency’s P63.9 billion allocation for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program or AICS has been criticized by good governance advocates, saying it’s a form of soft pork and can be used for politicians’ advantage.

7. DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) was allocated P185.8 billion, 21.3% higher than the NEP’s P153 billion. For 2026, DA is expected to take over the construction and maintenance of farm-to-market roads.

8. DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) received P136.8 billion, ranking eighth among agencies. This is 30% lower than its initial NEP proposal of P196 billion.

9. DOLE

The bicam approved P61 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a 38% increase from its proposed P44 billion budget.

10. DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will receive P42.8 billion, slightly above its NEP proposal of P40.9 billion.

Here’s an overview of the budget allocations for the top 10 agencies:

– Rappler.com