SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said job creation, quality education, expanded health care and social protection are among the priorities of the House of Representations in allocating funds in the proposed 2025 national budget.
He made the statement during the turnover by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the P6.352-trillion budget President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is proposing to Congress for next year.
“Ang badyet na Php 6.352 trilyon ay sumasalamin sa ating pangarap na mapabuti ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives told his colleagues, budget officials, and other guests.
“Sa 2025 national budget na ito, inaasahan namin na ibubuhos natin ang pondo para makalikha ng mas maraming trabaho, masiguro ang de-kalidad na edukasyon para sa mga estudyante, at mapalawak ang suporta sa Universal Health Care,” he said.
“Malinaw ang misyon natin: Ang mabigyan ng trabaho, edukasyon, at alagang pangkalusugan ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez pointed out that the House would also ensure that enough funds are allocated for poor Filipinos through social protection programs.
“Para sa amin dito sa House of Representatives, malakas din ang panawagan na madagdagan ang pondo para sa 4Ps ng DSWD at iba pang programang laan sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” he added.
“Dapat na bigyan din ng sapat na tulong-pinansyal ang mga Pilipinong minimum wage earners sa ilalim ng AKAP (Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita) program, lalo na sa panahon ng krisis na dala ng mga digmaan sa ibang bansa,” he stressed.
The House leader reiterated that the House would closely examine the budget proposal to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used wisely.
“As we receive this document today, we recognize the collective responsibility bestowed upon us as legislators to scrutinize, deliberate, and ensure that every peso is judiciously allocated and spent,” he said.
“Patuloy naming babantayan dito sa Kongreso ang paggastos ng mga pondong ito. Titiyakin namin na bawat pisong buwis ay maibabalik din sa mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at proyekto,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez said he would make sure that every centavo would go to the project, program or activity for which it is appropriated.
“Bilang inyong Speaker, ipinapangako ko ang patuloy na pagsusumikap upang matiyak na ang bawat sentimo ng badyet na ito ay mapupunta sa mga proyektong tunay na may pakinabang sa bawat Pilipino,” he emphasized.
He said he was “confident that with the collaborative efforts of the executive and legislative branches, we will achieve a budget that not only meets the immediate needs of our people but also sets the stage for a more prosperous and equitable Philippines.”
He thanked President Marcos Jr., Secretary Pangandaman, and the Department of Budget and Management “for their tireless efforts and dedication in crafting a budget that seeks to address the pressing needs of our people while laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.”
The President submitted his 2025 budget proposal exactly a week after Congress opened its third and last regular session, or three weeks ahead of his one-month constitutional deadline.
The House intends to finish deliberations on the spending measure before the first recess this year of Congress in October.
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