Jea Nicole Jacot

The House of Representatives forwarded the proposed 2025 national budget to the Senate, along with the amendments approved by the appropriations committee, on Thursday, October 24.

Photo Courtesy of Senate PRIB.

Known as the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the budget amounts to P6.352 trillion, reflecting a 10.13 percent increase from this year's P5.768 trillion budget.

The budget measure was submitted to the Senate’s Legislative Bills and Index Service despite the cancellation of work in both chambers of Congress due to the adverse weather conditions brought about by severe tropical storm Kristine.

OVP budget ‘realignment’

The House chamber decided to significantly cut the P1.3 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and realigned the amount to raise the allocation for the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Lawmakers cited the overlap between the initiatives of the OVP and other agencies such as the DSWD and DOH resulted in redundant expenses.

Co further explained that the realignment will result in significant savings, particularly concerning the OVP’s rental expenditures.

While the OVP reported serving over 1.5 million people through its medical, funeral, and relief programs, Co pointed out that these services could be delivered efficiently by agencies with sufficient resources and knowledge.

Furthermore, lawmakers arrived at the resolution after Vice President Sara Duterte failed to explain her alleged misuse of confidential funds at a congressional budget hearing.

House appropriations committee chair and Ako Bicol Party-List Rep. Zaldy Co stated that the amendments include a P292.23-billion realignment to aid vulnerable sectors, mentioning low-income families, farmers, and soldiers.

Based on data from The Philippine Star and statements from Rep. Co, a total of P646.5 million will now be allocated to DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, as well as the DOH's Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

“This budget is a lifeline for those who need it most. By increasing funding for social programs, we’re addressing immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience,” he said.

An extra P39.8 billion was allocated to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), providing financial assistance to those wo earn P21,000 or less per month.

The P13 billion allotted by AKAP for 2025 is three times greater than that of the preceding year.

Co also noted that education remains a top priority, placing an additional P30.01 billion for scholarships through the Commission on Higher Education's Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong programs.

Moreover, the Department of Education will receive P7 billion more for the construction and maintenance of school facilities.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) budget will be increased by P8.44 billion for next year as it faces “tougher security challenges.”

It covers an increase in the daily subsistence stipend of soldiers by 67 percent to P250. The house has also considered additional funds for infrastructure projects on Pag-Asa Island.

To improve food security, P30 billion has been allocated for “irrigation and cold storage facilities.”

The National Irrigation Administration's budget for the coming year is P44 billion higher than that of the current year.

Co said that the House seeks prompt and favorable response to the proposed budget measure.  

This November, the Senate will ratify its version of the proposed national budget for 2025 during plenary debates.