In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, August 1, 2024, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman articulated the strategic vision and core principles of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for Fiscal Year 2025, emphasizing its focus on smart spending and economic recovery.

 

“We’re following a fiscal program from when the administration started until now. Ibig sabihin po nun, generally we are trying to decrease our deficit at the same time maximize whatever revenue that we raise. With that po, DBCC came up with the P6.352 trillion budget level for next year,” explains Secretary Mina.

 

DBM has approved 69% of the P9.2 trillion funding requests from government agencies, adhering to a P6.35 trillion ceiling set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). Considerations include absorptive capacity, past utilization rates, program preparedness, and alignment with the Philippine Development Plan and related priorities.

 

“First, we look at the absorptive capacity of all the departments and agencies—kung kaya po nila ma-implement ‘yung mga proyekto. Pangalawa, we check the numbers, ‘yung utilization nila for the past two to three years. We check also the preparedness of their programs and projects. We would like to ensure na ‘pag ibinigay po ang pondo sa ahensya… kaya po nila i-implement kaagad-agad ang programa,” clarified Secretary Pangandman.

 

“Next it should adhere to the Philippine Development Plan. Merong tatlong pillars po tayo na sinusunod. There is also a program convergence na ginagawa po between the DBM, NEDA, and other implementing agencies,” the Budget Secretary added.

 

In line with this, Sec. Mina provided clear explanations on several key points, including program priorities, funding allocations, and the anticipated impacts on the country's economic landscape.

 

The total confidential and intelligence funds for 2025 have been reduced by 16%, decreasing from P12.378 billion in 2024 to P10.286 billion. Major allocations include the Department of Interior and Local Government with P906.6 million, the Department of Justice with P579.4 million (which includes the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration), the Department of National Defense with P1.8 billion, and other key agencies to ensure national security and effective governance.

 

Significant allocations to improve youth employability programs under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), amounting to P984.2 million reflecting an 84% increase from the previous year. Notable programs include the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and the Job Start Philippines Program.

 

DBM has earmarked P70 billion for the salary increase of government employees, including teachers, in the 2025 NEP. This is part of a four-tranche salary increase plan starting this year.

 

Additionally, P9.6 billion has been allocated for medical allowances for government employees, enhancing their healthcare benefits.

 

A comprehensive flood control program is allocated P305.1 billion, with significant funds directed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). This investment aims to mitigate the impact of severe flooding and improve water resource management across the country.

 

The NEP allocates P253.3 billion for various social welfare programs. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will receive a substantial portion of this amounting to P205 billion, which will be divided among the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SOCPEN), Protective Services for Individuals and Families and Difficult Circumstances, Philippine Food Stamp, and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This budget also includes fuel subsidies for the transport sector and assistance for farmers and fisherfolk.

 

 

###

 

 

ika-2 ng Agosto 2024

 

 

Sa ginawang press briefing sa Malacañang nitong Huwebes, August 1, 2024, inihayag ni Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman ang strategic vision at core principles na nakapaloob sa National Expenditure Program (NEP) para sa Fiscal Year 2025, na may pagdiin sa pagtuon ng gobyerno sa matalinong paggastos at recovery ng ekonomiya.

 

“We’re following a fiscal program from when the administration started until now. Ibig sabihin po nun, generally we are trying to decrease our deficit at the same time maximize whatever revenue that we raise. With that po, DBCC came up with the P6.352 trillion budget level for next year,” paliwanag ni Secretary Mina.

 

Inaprubahan ng DBM ang 69% ng kabuuang P9.2 trillion funding requests mula sa government agencies, na tumatalima sa P6.35 trillion na tinakdang ceiling ng Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). Kabilang sa mga konsiderasyong isinaalang-alang ay ang absorptive capacity, past utilization rates, program preparedness, at alignment sa Philippine Development Plan at ibang kaugnay na prayoridad.

 

“First, we look at the absorptive capacity of all the departments and agencies— kung kaya po nila ma-implement ‘yung mga proyekto. Pangalawa, we check the numbers, ‘yung utilization nila for the past two to three years. We check also the preparedness of their programs and projects. We would like to ensure na ‘pag ibinigay po ang pondo sa ahensya… kaya po nila i-implement kaagad-agad ang programa,” paglilinaw ni Secretary Pangandaman.

 

“Next it should adhere to the Philippine Development Plan. Merong tatlong pillars po tayo na sinusunod. There is also a program convergence na ginagawa po between the DBM, NEDA, and other implementing agencies,” dagdag pa ng Budget Secretary.

 

Kasunod nito, nagbigay si Sec. Mina ng malinaw na paliwanag sa ilang pangunahing puntos, kabilang na ang program priorities, funding allocations at anticipated impacts sa economic landscape ng bansa.

 

Ang kabuuang confidential at intelligence funds para sa 2025 ay nabawasan ng 16%, mas mababa ito mula P12.378 billion ngayong 2024 kumpara sa P10.286 billion para sa 2025. Kabilang sa mga pangunahing ahensya na mayroong alokasyon ay ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) na may P906.6 million, ang Department of Justice na mabibigyan ng P579.4 million (kabilang rito ang NBI at Bureau of Immigration), ang Department of National Defense na mayroong P1.8 billion, at ibang key agencies na magsisiguro ng national security at effective governance.

 

May significant allocations rin para mapabuti ang youth employability na nasa ilalim ng Department of Labor and Employment, na nagkakahalaga ng P984.2 million at sumasalalim sa 84% na pagtaas mula sa nakalipas na taon. Kabilang sa kapansin-pansing mga program ay ang Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) at ang Job Start Philippines Program.

 

Magtatalaga rin ng P70 billion para sa salary increase ng government employees, kabilang na rito ang mga guro, sa 2025 NEP. Bahagi ito ng four-tranche salary increase plan simula ngayong taon.

 

Dagdag pa rito, P9.6 billion ang magiging alokasyon para sa medical allowances ng government employees, na mapapaganda ang kanilang healthcare benefits.

 

Ang comprehensive flood control program ay may alokasyon ng P305.1 billion, na mayroong makabuluhan pondo direkta sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at sa Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Layunin ng investment na ito na pagaanin ang epekto ng malalang pagbaha at upang mapabuti ang water resource management sa buong bansa.

 

Ang NEP ay may alokasyon na P253.3 billion para sa iba-ibang social welfare programs. Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development ay makakatanggap ng substantive portion ng pondong ito na nagkakahalaga ng P205 billion, na siya naman hahatiin para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SOCPEN), Protective Services for Individuals and Families and Difficult Circumstances, Philippine Food Stamp, at Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Kabilang din sa budget na ito ang fuel subsidies para sa transport sector at ang assistance para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

 

 

###