Day: September 26, 2025

The Executive Branch submits the draft General State Budget Law 2026 to the National Congress

Santo Domingo – The Executive Branch, through the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the General Directorate of Budget, submitted the 2026 General State Budget Bill to the National Congress, in compliance with Article 233 of the Constitution of the Republic and Article 34 of the Organic Budget Law for the Public Sector No. 423-06. Additionally, it emphasizes compliance with the primary spending fiscal rule established by Law No. 35-24 on Fiscal Responsibility of State Institutions. The budget bill, totaling 1.744 trillion pesos, equivalent to 20.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), was delivered via the General Secretariat of the Chamber of Deputies by the Director General of Budget, José Rijo Presbot. Priority is given to public investment in strategic sectors and the efficient allocation of resources to boost economic growth. Regarding fiscal management, revenues are projected at RD$1,342,258.2 million (15.51% of GDP), while total expenditures amount to RD$1,622,833.4 million (18.71% of GDP). These resources will be allocated to the government's strategic priorities, such as maintaining macroeconomic stability, promoting economic growth, strengthening the productivity and competitiveness of productive sectors, ensuring access to quality essential services, and fostering the well-being of the most vulnerable sectors of the Dominican population. Economic Reactivation Through Investment: The initiative reinforces the economic reactivation policy through public investment, which will amount to RD$1,215,284.7 million (2.5% of GDP), an amount higher than the initial 2025 budget. It includes flagship projects that seek to improve the connectivity and efficiency of the transportation system, as well as impact strategic sectors such as tourism and agriculture, in line with the objectives outlined in the RD 2036 Target Plan aimed at doubling the Dominican Republic's GDP. “The project reaffirms the Government's commitment to achieving fiscal results that will allow, within a reasonable timeframe, the attainment of a balance in public finances, the maintenance of fiscal sustainability, the efficient support of private initiatives, and the allocation of resources to priority areas to improve the quality of life for all Dominicans,” the Executive Branch states in its budget submission letter. For next year, the project projects a fiscal deficit of just 3.21% of GDP, equivalent to RD$1,280,575.3 million, maintaining the fiscal consolidation of previous years and ensuring the continuity of priority government programs, while reaffirming the commitment to disciplined public finances. The 2026 spending policy is designed to address the 17 strategic priorities of the 2025-2028 National Multi-Year Public Sector Plan. In this regard, significant social measures, such as resources for police reform, addressing the urgent needs of the health sector, investments in drinking water, and the Central American and Caribbean Games, form the cornerstone of this formulation. The 2026 General State Budget offers a detailed analysis of cross-cutting policies, fundamental for guaranteeing rights and reducing inequalities, such as climate change, gender equality, disability, and investment in children and adolescents.