Manila: Acting Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Kim de Leon on Friday backed livestreaming the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed PHP7.2-trillion national budget for 2027. De Leon emphasized that making the proceedings accessible to the public would promote transparency, accountability, and participation in the budget process.

According to Philippines News Agency, De Leon stated that opening the bicameral discussions to public scrutiny aligns with ongoing conversations in Congress about enhancing transparency. He expressed the DBM's support for efforts to make the bicameral process more open during an economic forum at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assembly Hall in Manila. The proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) aims to address priorities in education, health, infrastructure, and social protection, based on macroeconomic assumptions approved by the Development Budget Coordination Committee.

De Leon noted that transparent budget deliberations would help the public comprehend government spending of taxpayers' money, thereby strengthening accountability and trust. He asserted that transparency simplifies rather than complicates the budget process and responded to increasing public demand for scrutiny over the use of public funds. De Leon welcomed such scrutiny, emphasizing that public involvement in monitoring public money should not be seen as inconvenient.

The proposal to livestream the bicameral deliberations follows a precedent set in December 2025 when the bicameral conference committee first livestreamed its discussions on the proposed 2026 national budget. De Leon acknowledged that the decision to open deliberations for the 2027 budget remains with Congress, but assured that the DBM is prepared to support such a move by providing necessary information and documents.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin deliberations on the 2027 NEP on August 17, with a target to approve the proposed budget by October 9.