Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced a significant $72.5 billion allocation under the Office of the Prime Minister in the 2026 national budget, aimed at supporting the government’s planned second tranche of the $100,000 cash grant program. This grant is expected to benefit over 700,000 Guyanese shortly after the budget is approved.
Phillips made this announcement during the Committee of Supply session while discussing the 2026 budget estimates. He confirmed that this allocation specifically funds the one-off cash grant initiative and indicated that the government is preparing to cover approximately 716,261 citizens.
When asked by Opposition MP Vinceroy Jordan about the timing of disbursement, Phillips stated that preparations will commence in the Ministry of Finance as soon as the budget is passed. He reiterated that President Dr. Irfaan Ali had previously informed the public that the cash grant would be disbursed following the budget’s approval. “We will be working towards paying this money as early as possible to the people of Guyana after the passage of this budget,” Phillips affirmed.
Jordan further inquired if citizens would need to re-register for the second tranche of the cash grant. Phillips responded that over 600,000 Guyanese had already registered during the initial phase, and the government would update its records to reflect any changes, such as deaths. He also noted that an additional 14,000 individuals are expected to qualify for the grant this year due to reaching adulthood.
The Prime Minister mentioned that this would necessitate a further registration effort to capture these new beneficiaries. Addressing questions about the basis for the $100,000 figure, he explained that this decision was made in 2024, with a commitment to repeat the grant.
“This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to shared prosperity,” Phillips stated, emphasizing that all citizens aged 18 and older, including those in the opposition, will be eligible for the grant.
Regarding criticisms about the sufficiency of the amount in light of rising living costs, Phillips dismissed these concerns, pointing out that the Minister of Finance had already outlined various measures in the 2026 “people’s budget” to alleviate financial burdens on citizens.
The consideration of budget estimates continues in the National Assembly as various agencies defend their allocations ahead of the final approval of the 2026 national budget.
