PBBM calls for timely approval of proposed 2025 nat’l budget

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his #SONA2024 before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 22, 2024). (PNA Photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Congress to ensure the timely passage of the proposed PHP6.532 trillion national budget for 2025.

During his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, Marcos said the proposed 2025 budget was crafted “with utmost care, diligence, and meticulous attention.”

“We look to the cooperation of our colleagues in the legislature, not only that our proposed national budget be approved in your usual timely manner, but that it be adhered to as closely as possible,” he said.

Marcos expressed optimism that the proposed budget would be allotted for the implementation of “impactful” programs of government agencies.

“We expect all agencies to ensure that every centavo allocated will be judiciously spent for our urgent priorities and socially impactful programs,” he said.

Marcos approved the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which will serve as Congress’ basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), during the 17th Cabinet meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila earlier this month.

The 2025 NEP reflects the administration’s priorities, including food security, social protection, health care, housing, disaster resilience, infrastructure, digital connectivity, and energization.

Marcos noted that a new grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a national poverty-reduction program, was also included in the 2025 budget plan to ensure the health and nutrition of children aged 0 to 2 years from the ”poorest families.

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The proposed 2025 budget is anchored on the theme “Agenda for Prosperity: Fulfilling the Needs and Aspirations of the Filipino People.”

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier said the 2025 NEP will be submitted to Congress on July 29, or a week after Marcos’ SONA.

Once approved by Congress, the NEP will be known as the GAB and will become the General Appropriations Act upon signing into law.