General Budget bill for 2026 approved
The Council of Ministers reviewed and approved the draft General State Budget for 2026 on Tuesday, which will be submitted to the National Congress before October 1, as established by the Constitution.
The 2026 Budget amounts to RD$1 trillion 744 billion , equivalent to 20.1% of GDP.
After the meeting, Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza explained that the budget includes funds for the Central American and Caribbean Games, as well as for the implementation of the new Identity and Electoral Card.
Paliza reported that RD$3.7 billion will be allocated for the organization of the Central American and Caribbean Games. Additionally, RD$6 billion will be allocated for the implementation of the new Identity and Electoral Card , under the responsibility of the Central Electoral Board (JCE).
One of the central pillars of the proposal is to boost public investment , which will reach 2.5% of GDP.
The projected capital expenditure for 2026 will be RD$7,354.6 million, higher than the reformulated 2025 budget, and RD$39 billion more than the initial 2025 budget.
Social services are projected to account for approximately 46% of total spending.
Among the government's commitments are a 4% GDP guarantee for education , increases in health and social security, and the allocation of greater resources to sports, in preparation for the country's hosting of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games.
Furthermore, the budget allocation includes the intensification of measures aimed at greater efficiency in the use of public resources . An example of this is the recent merger of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, as part of administrative streamlining efforts.
Social services will represent 46% of total spendingMinister Paliza emphasized that approximately 46% of total spending will be allocated to social services , reaffirming the government 's priority in key areas such as education, health, social security , and sports.
The commitments made include:
- Compliance with the 4% of GDP target for the education sector
- Increases in resources allocated to the health and social security areas,
- Greater investment in sports, on the occasion of the celebration of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, which will take place in the country
"The 2026 Budget reaffirms the commitment of President Luis Abinader's government to the people. It is an instrument that prioritizes investment in social areas, guarantees the sustainability of public finances, and lays the foundation to continue transforming our country with efficiency and transparency," said Minister Paliza.
For his part, the Director General of the Budget , José Rijo Presbot, presented the general guidelines of the proposal, based on a macroeconomic framework that projects real GDP growth of 4.5% and average inflation of 4% for the coming year.
During the session, progress on the Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) was also reported, presented by the Minister of Public Administration , Sigmund Freund, as well as the monitoring of ten priority government goals in areas such as agriculture, energy and mining, and industry and trade. Ministers Limber Cruz (Agriculture), Joel Santos (Presidency), and Vice Minister Johannes Kelner also spoke at this point.
Likewise, Vice Minister Luis Madera Sued presented the Government Program Prioritization 2026, as part of the planning, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms for public policies.
The meeting concluded with remarks from Vice President Raquel Peña Rodríguez , who reaffirmed the government 's commitment to efficiency , transparency, and sustainability in the management of state resources.
TOPICS -
Diariolibre
