DEPDev seeks P15.34-B budget for disaster resilience, planning in 2026

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) is proposing a ₱15.34-billion budget for 2026 to boost government planning and development programs, with stronger emphasis on disaster risk reduction, resilience, and climate adaptation.

During the agency’s budget presentation on Friday, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the proposed allocation will enable DEPDev and its attached agencies to strengthen programs that safeguard communities against calamities, in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“Our budget proposal for 2026 underscores the urgency of building resilience. We cannot afford to be complacent in the face of climate risks and natural disasters. Strengthening our institutions and planning systems is crucial to ensure that every peso translates into safer, more adaptive communities,” Balisacan said.

For 2026, DEPDev will focus on monitoring major infrastructure and development projects, updating the AmBisyon Natin 2040 vision, and expanding interagency coordination to improve disaster preparedness and response.

The proposed budget is 14.8 percent higher than this year’s ₱13.36 billion, with the Philippine Statistics Authority set to receive the largest share at ₱9 billion. 

Other attached agencies such as the Commission on Population and Development, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, and the Public-Private Partnership Center are also included in the spending plan.

Formed in 2025 through the reorganization of the National Economic and Development Authority, DEPDev has been tasked to lead strategic planning and policy development to build a more resilient and adaptive economy.