To House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez;
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales Jr.;
Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe;
Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan;
Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco;
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Elizaldy S. Co;
Honorable members of the 19th Congress, my fellow workers in government, and our media representatives:
Good day.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it is my honor and privilege to transmit to Congress—for its perusal, deliberation, and approval—the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Amounting to Php 6.352 trillion, the proposed national budget for next year is equivalent to 22.1 percent of GDP and 10.1 percent higher than this year’s budget of Php 5.768 trillion.
As stated by PBBM himself in his third State of the Nation Address, this budget “was crafted with utmost care, diligence, and meticulous attention.”
At the onset, let me share with you that we received budget proposals totaling Php 9.2 trillion. The Department of Budget and Management evaluated these proposals based on the implementation-readiness of programs and projects, agency absorptive capacity, and alignment with expenditure direction, among others.
With the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Fulfilling the Needs and Aspirations of the Filipino People,” the proposed national budget is anchored on the pillars of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and will continue ushering in economic and social transformation.
Bearing in mind inclusivity, the Social Services sector will receive the largest allocation of 33.4 percent or Php 2.12 trillion.
Towards sustainability, the Economic Services Sector will receive Php 1.85 trillion or 29.2 percent of the budget.
To develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families—the first pillar of the PDP—the proposed budget will promote human and social development, reduce vulnerabilities, protect purchasing power, and increase income-earning abilities.
Education remains a top priority with Php 977.6 billion, equivalent to 15.4 percent of the budget, aligned with UNESCO’s Education 2030 Framework for Action.
The Department of Health will be allocated with Php 297.6 billion to continue the advanced implementation of the Universal Health Care Act while fully recovering and rebuilding from the pandemic.
Social Welfare and Development will get Php 230.1 billion to fund social protection programs including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.
To increase income-earning ability, we have harmonized all livelihood and employment programs, with an allocation of Php 36.8 billion.
To transform our production sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products—the second pillar of the PDP—we will modernize agriculture and agribusiness, revitalize industry and promote trade and investments, reinvigorate services, and advance research and development.
To develop our agricultural industry and achieve food security, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform will be given Php 211.3 billion to support our farmers and fisherfolk.
To promote trade and attract investments, the Department of Trade and Industry will receive Php 8.6 billion.
To drive innovation, the Department of Science and Technology will be allocated with Php 28.8 billion.
And to make the Philippines a tourism powerhouse, the Department of Tourism will receive Php 3.4 billion.
Finally, the third pillar of the PDP aims to foster an enabling environment through programs that ensure macroeconomic stability, infrastructure development, digitalization, national security, bureaucratic efficiency, public order and safety, justice, and climate and environment.
To this end, the Build-Better-More infrastructure program, through the Department of Public Works and Highways will be allocated Php 900.0 billion, or 14.2 percent of the proposed budget, to finance various public infrastructures. Meanwhile, Transportation will receive Php 180.9 billion, a boost of 144.8 percent from its 2024 level, to fund major rail, land, air, and sea transportation projects.
To combat graft and corruption, we will be allocating some Php 70.6 billion to rapidly digitalize our bureaucracy.
To uphold our sovereignty and territorial integrity, some Php 258.2 billion will be earmarked for the Defense Department.
The Interior and Local Government department, on the other hand, will receive Php 281.3 billion to fund the operations of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and other agencies that maintain peace and order nationwide.
To ensure sustainability, Climate Change Expenditure Tagging will now reach Php 1.0 trillion to monitor the scope and distribution of the country’s climate action.
Finally, our local governments, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will continue to be supported with their share in the National Tax Allotment and Annual Block Grant, respectively.
These are just some of the key features of the proposed FY 2025 National Budget. We will present the specific programs, activities, and projects in an audio-visual presentation for everyone’s better appreciation.
In closing, allow me to echo the President’s call during his latest SONA: “We expect all agencies to ensure that every centavo allocated will be judiciously spent for our urgent priorities and socially impactful programs.”
Let us sustain the momentum and stay on track with our Agenda for Prosperity. Through this budget, we can achieve our target of a single-digit poverty level and an upper-middle-income economy. Together, let us fulfill the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people, to achieve a Bagong Pilipinas for our citizens and for the future generations.
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino at Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas.
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
END
