The situation, in brief
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday, November 3, signed Ordinance No. 9145, approving the ₱25-billion 2026 Annual Budget of the City of Manila, with a clear focus on meeting the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) of residents: healthcare, housing, education, and job creation. “For 2026, again…
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday, November 3, signed Ordinance No. 9145, approving the ₱25-billion 2026 Annual Budget of the City of Manila, with a clear focus on meeting the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) of residents: healthcare, housing, education, and job creation.
“For 2026, again, it’s going to focus on MBN—Minimum Basic Needs. That’s what we prepared for the Sangguniang for approval, which will focus on healthcare, housing, education, and job creation,” Domagoso said during the budget signing ceremony at City Hall. “Malaking portion nito ay nakalaan sa social services.”
The city’s 2026 spending plan allocates ₱6.79 billion for personnel services, ₱10.92 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), ₱107 million for capital outlay, ₱2.47 billion for budgetary requirements, and ₱4.68 billion for statutory and contractual obligations.
The Manila Health Department (MHD) and the city’s seven hospitals, including the newly opened President Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital, will receive the biggest share, ₱2.39 billion, to sustain operations and improve medical services.
Domagoso said the city government continues to prioritize senior citizens and vulnerable residents through programs such as the Ensure milk supplementation for elders and patients, social amelioration for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents, as well as allowances for public school and university students.
“Mahirap magkasakit, napakamahal magkasakit, kaya kailangan tuloy-tuloy ang suporta sa ating matatanda at mga pasyente sa ospital,” he said.
He also reported that the city has settled more than 31 percent of its prior years’ obligations (PYOs) to private suppliers and government institutions.
“Rest assured, the previous obligation in 2022, 2023, 2024, and even on the first two quarters of 2025 will be addressed by your city government,” Domagoso said.
“Ang tanong lang kailan, but one thing is for sure, kung ano ang obligasyon ng nakaraan, tutugunan din natin,” he added.
Despite an outstanding fiscal deficit of about ₱7 billion in prior obligations, Domagoso expressed confidence that Manila could achieve full recovery within three to four years through strict fiscal discipline and prudent spending.
“We try to spend whatever is left and whatever is earned efficiently. For now, whatever is there, nakafocus sa tao. Tao muna ang makinabang,” he said, thanking Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza, the City Council, and department heads for their cooperation in passing the budget swiftly.
