Proposed 2025 Philippine National Budget Submitted to Congress

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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has officially submitted the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for Fiscal Year 2025 to Congress on Monday, July 29, 2024.


DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman presented the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to House Speaker Martin Romualdez during a ceremony at the House of Representatives.


The proposed 2025 budget represents a 10.1 percent increase from the P5.768 trillion budget of 2024 and accounts for 22 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).


Pangandaman emphasized that the budget aims to drive economic and social transformation, aligning with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. She assured that it was meticulously crafted to promote holistic development and inclusivity across key sectors.


The 2025 NEP designates the largest share of the budget to education, amounting to P977.6 billion. Public works will receive P900 billion for infrastructure development and maintenance, which is essential for economic growth and improved connectivity. Health is allocated P297.6 billion to support the Universal Health Care Act, ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services, enhancing the country's resilience against future health crises, and improving overall well-being.


The Interior and Local Government sector is set to receive P278.4 billion, while the defense sector is allocated P256.1 billion. Social welfare will get P230.1 billion, and agriculture is allocated P211.3 billion.


The National Government has also proposed an increased budget for transportation at P180.9 billion to develop and modernize the country's infrastructure. The judiciary is allocated P63.6 billion, and the Department of Justice is set to receive P40.6 billion.


Pangandaman noted that the confidential and intelligence funds under the 2025 NEP amount to P10.2 billion, which is lower than the previous year's allocation of P12 billion.


House Speaker Romualdez highlighted that creating jobs for Filipinos, ensuring quality education, expanding healthcare, and providing social protection are among the priorities under the 2025 NEP.


“The P6.352 trillion budget reflects our dream to improve the lives of every Filipino,” he said.


"For us here in the House of Representatives, there is a strong call to increase funding for the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and other programs for our poor countrymen. Adequate financial assistance should also be given to Filipino minimum wage earners under the Akap (Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita) program, especially during times of crisis caused by wars in other countries," he added.


Romualdez also assured that the House will carefully scrutinize the budget proposal to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used wisely and that every centavo is allocated to the intended projects, programs, or activities. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)

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