In the Philippines today, amid a steady tide of exposés on corruption and misuse of public funds, nothing reflects on the country’s priorities more starkly than the national budget. Recently this year, as floods devastated provinces, the lack of adequate disaster response revealed the cost of misplaced allocations. This failure is not confined to disaster response; it extends to the broader question of national growth, where funds meant to strengthen agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure are too often compromised, leaving entire sectors of the economy vulnerable. It is against this backdrop that the 2026 Proposed National Budget must be examined, not merely as a set of numbers, but as a test of whether public funds will finally serve the people they are meant to protect.
Deconstructing the Numbers, Telling Our Stories
This is the mission of “Deconstruct V: The People’s Purse: Examining the 2026 Proposed National Budget”, the fifth installment of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Economics Society’s (ECONSOC) award-winning seminar series. Since 2023, Deconstruct has examined critical issues, from food security to educational reform, by translating technical policy debates into human stories. This year, the spotlight turns to the 2026 budget: its allocations, trade-offs, and real implications for ordinary Filipinos.
On September 29, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the discussion will take place at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, with livestreams via Zoom and Facebook, featuring Dr. Jan Carlo “JC” Punongbayan, Mr. Christian Dy, Mr. AJ Montesa, and Mr. Sonny Africa.
Join the Dialogue
At a time when every Filipino is asking where public funds truly flow, conversations on the national budget have never been more urgent. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an engaged citizen, your voice matters in shaping how government priorities are understood and held accountable. Deconstruct V offers a space of reflection and exchange, where figures are humanized and policies are weighed against lived realities.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to Gadgets Magazine for helping bring this initiative to a wider public and opening doors for dialogue and awareness. This partnership strengthens our call for transparency and meaningful participation in our democracy.
For more information, updates, and registration, please visit:
- UPLB Economics Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/uplbeconsoc
- DECONSTRUCT V Registration Form: bit.ly/DeconstructV