2025 BUDGET. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (right) formally accepts the proposed PHP6.352- trillion national budget for 2025 from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman during a simple ceremony held at Romualdez Hall in the House of Representatives on Monday (July 29, 2024). Romualdez said job creation, quality education, expanded health care and social protection are among the priorities of the House in allocating funds. (Photo courtesy of DBM)
MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said job creation, quality education, expanded health care, and social protection are among the priorities of the House of Representatives in allocating funds in the proposed 2025 national budget.
He made the statement during the formal turnover of the PHP6.352-trillion budget that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is proposing to Congress for next year.
In a speech, Romualdez said the proposed 2025 national budget mirrors the government’s aspiration to uplift the standard of living of each Filipino.
“Sa 2025 national budget na ito, inaasahan namin na ibubuhos natin ang pondo para makalikha ng mas maraming trabaho, masiguro ang de-kalidad na edukasyon para sa mga estudyante, at mapalawak ang suporta sa (In this 2025 national budget, we hope to prioritize funds to create more jobs, ensure quality education, and expand support for) Universal Health Care,” he said.
“Malinaw ang misyon natin: Ang mabigyan ng trabaho, edukasyon, at alagang pangkalusugan ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Oue mission is clear: To provide jobs, education and health care to every Filipino family),” he added.
Romualdez pointed out that the House would also ensure that enough funds are allocated for poor Filipinos through social protection programs, like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
He promised that the House would closely examine the budget proposal to ensure that taxpayers’ money will be spent on programs and projects that are truly beneficial to the people.
“As we receive this document today, we recognize the collective responsibility bestowed upon us as legislators to scrutinize, deliberate, and ensure that every peso is judiciously allocated and spent,” he said as he formally received the proposed budget from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman during a simple ceremony held at Romualdez Hall in the House of Representatives
“I am confident that with the collaborative efforts of the executive and legislative branches, we will achieve a budget that not only meets the immediate needs of our people but also sets the stage for a more prosperous and equitable Philippines.”
He thanked Pangandaman and the Department of Budget and Management “for their tireless efforts and dedication in crafting a budget that seeks to address the pressing needs of our people while laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.”
President Marcos submitted his 2025 budget proposal exactly a week after the 19th Congress opened its third and last regular session, or three weeks ahead of his one-month constitutional deadline.
Romualdez earlier said the House intends to finish deliberations on the spending measure before the October recess. (PNA)
