Marcos Approves P6.352-T National Budget for 2025

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has sanctioned the proposed P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025. This budget aims to bolster the key pillars of the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

During a Cabinet meeting at Malacañang, where Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman presented the proposed budget, Marcos expressed satisfaction with the allocation priorities. He highlighted that the priorities were well-weighted to address the nation’s needs effectively.

Major Allocations

The proposed NEP designates the largest shares of the budget to:

• Education: Covering the Department of Education, state universities and colleges, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Authority.
• Public Works: Allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
• Health: Including PhilHealth.
• Interior and Local Government: Directed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
• Defense: Funded through the Department of National Defense.

Other Key Sectors

Additional priorities include:

• Social Welfare: Funded through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
• Agriculture: Covering the Department of Agriculture and its attached corporations.
• Transportation: Managed by the Department of Transportation.
• Judiciary: Receiving necessary funding to ensure the rule of law.

Strategic Goals

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) states that the administration aims for comprehensive social and economic transformation, positioning the Philippines as a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society. These objectives are guided by the Bagong Pilipinas governance framework.

Education and Healthcare

The education budget focuses on making the MATATAG curriculum relevant to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens. Additionally, there is an emphasis on accelerating the Universal Health Care Act.

Budget Breakdown

The largest portions of the budget are allocated to:

• Maintenance and Operating Expenses
• Personnel Services
• Capital Outlays
• Financial Expenses

Evaluation Factors

Key factors considered in evaluating the fiscal year 2025 budget proposals included:

• Availability of fiscal space
• Implementation and readiness of Program/Activity/Projects (PAPs)
• Agency’s absorptive capacity
• Alignment with the Budget Priorities Framework and PDP 2023-2028

Additional considerations were the Public Investment Program (PIP), Three-Year Infrastructure Program (TRIP), Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP), and Program Convergence.