SEN. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate finance committee, yesterday sponsored for plenary discussions the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget, which she described as the “blueprint” of government priorities.
“This budget isn’t just a series of numbers. It’s a blueprint of our priorities, the most important investment of our government, and the heartbeat of our nation’s future,” Poe said in her sponsorship of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
She said the budget measure puts “significant priorities” in social services, health, education, jobs, technology, and infrastructure and human development.
She likewise underscored the imperative for accountability in every peso spent in the budget.
“Under this Senate Committee Report, every peso has been accounted for. With each line item, we asked all agencies, ‘Ano bang gusto nating mangyari dito (What do we want with this)?’” she said, adding that “accountability is not just a choice; it is our duty.”
Poe said the Senate version of the 2025 national budget will augment the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program Fund to ensure that over 700 rural health units, 300 local government units and DOH hospitals, and other clinics are constructed and equipped with the necessary medical supplies and facilities nationwide.
She said additional funds were allocated for the “First 1,000 Days Program” of the DOH and the National Nutrition Council that will benefit 19,900 nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women; 39,000 youth with severe malnutrition; and 133,000 other children.
The budget will also provide the needed vitamins for 11.3 million women of reproductive age, 2.3 million pregnant women, 1.4 million infants, and 11.8 million toddlers. The School-Based Feeding Program for under-nourished learners will also get funding boost.
Poe said her committee took vigilant steps to ensure funding for the P9.9 billion budget request for teaching materials to be used in public schools.
“This is a staggering 106 percent increase from the 2024 budget after the passage of Republic Act No. 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act. We also left intact the budget for education assistance programs and subsidies, and the continuation of the free tuition under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program,” she said.
Aside from the regular beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Poe said the budget will make sure that those who are pregnant and with children of up to two years old will be given a P350 assistance a day to encourage them to undergo check-up, get vaccinated and eat nutritious meals.
Other social protection programs will also be retained, like the P1,000 monthly pension for the country’s four million indigent senior citizens.
Also under the budget bill, the 44 million 4Ps family-beneficiaries will continue to get their subsidies, as well as those getting aide from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
She also said that 194,804 beneficiaries under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) will be given seed capital to start their own business or undergo skills training for employment.
As for housing, over 100,000 families will be provided with low-cost housing units.
Poe said support to public utility vehicle drivers will still be available in 2025 in the form of fuel subsidies that is seen to benefit more than one million drivers. She also said that over 40 million commuters and 20,000 drivers will benefit with the continuation of the Service Contracting program.
“With around 12,000 Filipinos killed yearly in road crashes, naglaan din tayo ng pondo upang magkaroon ng maayos na implementasyon, monitoring at evaluation ng mga road safety policies at programs. We are hopeful that through this initiative, there will be improved road safety management and decrease in deaths due to road accidents (With an estimated 12,000 Filipinos killed yearly in road crashes, we have earmarked funds so we can properly implement, monitor, and evaluate road safety policies and programs. We are hopeful that through this initiative, there will be improved road safety management and decrease in deaths due to road accidents,”) she said.
On the other hand, some 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk will likewise be provided with monthly support under the Department of Agriculture’s Farmers and Fisherfolk Assistance Program.
Poe said the Senate fully supports the efficient and responsible use of modern technology in fighting crimes and ensuring the speedy dispensation of justice, and as testament to this, “we will support the utilization of Artificial Intelligence in the examination of suspicious transactions by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and in the court transcriptions, legal research, and case management of the Judiciary.”
“There is also increased funding for the free public wi-fi (program) which we have always fought for in the past,” she said.
Likewise, Poe assured the Commission on Elections that its P35.19 billion budget for the midterm elections next year will not be slashed.
Poe also said the Senate will support the funding needs of the armed forces and the coast guard “to face any security threats” to the country.
Poe thanked her colleagues in the Senate, especially the 14 vice chairpersons of the finance committee, and their counterparts in the House of Representatives for rigorously reviewing every agency’s request “to ensure that every centavo works for the Filipino people.”
She said the proposed nation budget “isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet” since “It’s a promise to every Filipino that their own government serves and works for them, not the other way around.”
“Sure, the zeros maybe overwhelming but each one represents real support for our people and reflects our priorities. In the days ahead, we’ll break down the specific items, item by item, line by line to ensure that every peso works for everyone,” she added.
