By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(January 17, 2025) – Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Friday admitted that the 2025 national budget is not ideal despite a nearly 10% increase from last year’s allocation.
Last December 30, Marcos signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act worth P6.326 trillion, a slight decrease from his administration’s proposed P6.352 trillion after he vetoed line items worth over P194 billion. He earlier deferred the signing for a “rigorous and comprehensive review.”
The national budget this year is 9.67% higher than last year’s P5.768 trillion.
“The (2025 national) budget as passed, you could describe it as suboptimal. But we are remedying that situation,” said Marcos in an ambush interview during the ceremonial turnover of houses to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Burauen, Leyte.
The chief executive added that the government is looking to restore the slashed budgets from various sectors, including education, health, housing, and tourism.
“’Yung mga masyadong nawala sa NEP (National Expenditure Program) na hindi na nabigyan ng pondo, hinahanapan namin ng savings,” said Marcos.
On Wednesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that it was given an additional budget of P400 million from Marcos’ contingency fund to boost the country’s global standing and attract more tourists.
Economist Cielo Magno, a former undersecretary of the Department of Finance, warned that the government may struggle to finance the “bloated budget,” citing potential adverse impacts.
ALSO READ: Amid ‘bloated’ 2025 national budget, DOF urged to improve fiscal management
Independent think tank IBON Foundation also claimed that the 2025 national budget does not respond to the country’s economic and social needs with hefty cuts in key government agencies.
Minority lawmakers and sectoral groups have criticized the P26 billion given to the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, claiming that it could be used by the administration’s allies in the upcoming midterm elections.
AKAP is the pet project of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos.
(With reports from Maricel Halili, News5)
(PM)
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