CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Northern Mindanao Congresspersons jointly scrutinized the P416.04 billion proposed regional budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The proposal covers 46 agency regional offices and government-owned and controlled corporations, and 11 state universities and colleges.
During the Joint RDC-X Full Council and Advisory Committee Meeting on 6 February 2025 at the Chali Resort and Conference Center, the said proposed budgets were endorsed to the agency central offices (ACOs) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for inclusion in the FY 2026 National Expenditure Program, subject to enhancements requested by the congresspersons and RDC-X members.
The Infrastructure and Utilities Development Sector accounts for the largest share of the regional budget proposal at P224.69 billion (54%), with 95.05 percent allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways-X for national road and flood control projects.
The Social Development Sector follows with P146.59 billion (35.20%), of which 45 percent is earmarked for the Department of Education-X to enhance basic education services and improve lifelong learning.
The Economic Development Sector has a proposed budget of P38.72 billion (9.31%), with 84.27 percent primarily allocated to farm-to-market road projects under the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10.
Lastly, the Macro and Development Administration Sector proposes P6.03 billion (1.45%) for various catalytic infrastructure projects such as police stations and army camp development.
The final budget proposals, incorporating the comments, recommendations, and requested augmentations from congresspersons and RDC-X members, will be transmitted—along with the RDC-X endorsement—to the relevant ACOs and the DBM in March 2025.
“These budget proposals are more than just numbers— it is a reflection of our priorities, the needs of our communities, and our collective vision for Northern Mindanao’s growth and progress,” said Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, RDC-X Chairperson and Lanao del Norte Provincial Governor.
The regional budget preparation process commenced with the Regional Budget Forum on 8 January 2025, followed by handholding activities, stakeholder consultations, and sectoral committee meetings, culminating on 4 February 2025.
“We are fortunate to have with us today the esteemed members of our Advisory Committee, particularly our Region X Congresspersons, who play a crucial role in ensuring that the budget proposals we endorse today are effectively lobbied in Congress and eventually in the Senate,” added Dimaporo.
The meeting was co-convened by Rufus B. Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro 2nd Congressional District Representative.
The FY 2026 budget proposal represents a 321 percent increase compared to the FY 2025 GAA-approved budget, reflecting the region’s intensified funding needs for social, macro administration, economic, and infrastructure development priorities. (NEDA-X/PIA-10)
