House approves DICT proposed 2027 budget after earlier deferment

• Courtesy of DICT

The House of Representatives has approved the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and its attached agencies following plenary deliberations on September 24.

The budget covers the DICT as well as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

The approval came days after the House deferred action on the DICT’s proposed 2027 budget amid lawmakers’ concerns over the government’s ability to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful online content. The House earlier said the proposed DICT budget stood at P19.49 billion.

READ:

BREAKING: House set to defer DICT budget over lawmakers’ concerns on harmful Facebook content

During the resumed deliberations, FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares, who sponsored the agency’s budget, presented the DICT and its attached agencies’ programs covering online safety and platform accountability, connectivity expansion, digital government, cybersecurity, and digital opportunities.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda led the department’s delegation during the proceedings, along with CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, and NPC Privacy Commissioner and Chairman Atty. Johann Carlos Barcena.

The deliberations formed part of the House’s consideration of House Bill No. 10858, or the proposed FY 2027 General Appropriations Bill. House records show plenary proceedings on the measure continued on September 24.

The DICT thanked House leaders and lawmakers for supporting its proposed budget, saying its programs are aimed at building a more connected, secure, and inclusive digital environment for Filipinos.

The department’s budget had previously faced scrutiny in the House over online safety and the accountability of major technology platforms. Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said on September 19 that lawmakers deferred approval because they wanted the DICT to present concrete measures for addressing harmful online content and coordinating with other government agencies.