BICAM OKAYS FINAL VERSION OF 2025 NATIONAL BUDGET

THE Bicameral Conference Committee on Wednesday approved the final version of House Bill No. 10800 or the proposed P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget.

The measure retained the P733 million budget for the Office of the Vice President(OVP).

Senators and members of the House of Representatives likewise agreed to continue allcations for the Ayuda para sa Kapos and Kita Program (AKAP), but was reduced to P26 billion from P39 billion.

Senate President Francis Escudero acknowledged the rigorous process undertaken by the bicameral committee to harmonize the differing versions of the proposed budget from the two chambers.

“This is the most important legislation passed annually by Congress,” Escudero emphasized, underscoring the crucial role of the budget in shaping the nation’s priorities.

The Senate leader noted the challenges faced in allocating resources, highlighting the principle of balancing additions and cuts.

Escudero said they cannot increase allocations without making reductions elsewhere.

“This is why the work on any budget proposal is so demanding,” he said.

He also defended the alignment of the budget with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s plans, clarifying that it was not a matter of blind adherence but a recognition of the overwhelming electoral mandate given to him by over 31 million Filipinos.

“It is only right for Congress to support the President’s vision and promises to the Filipino people,” he said.

Senate Finance panel chair Sen. Grace Poe said the approved budget reflects a significant increase in funding for key sectors such as social protection, education, health, livelihood, and disaster response emphasizing that these increases demonstrate the government’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable sectors and investing in the nation’s future.

Poe also assured that essential areas like defense, transportation, and infrastructure were also prioritized.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez expressed gratitude to the senators for their support of AKAP and commended the committee on appropriations chaired by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co for successfully defending their budget proposals.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kapwa natin mga congressmen at sa Senate na sinuportahan nila ‘yung AKAP. Na-maintain at naibalik kaya tuloy-tuloy ang programa ng AKAP para sa mahihirap,” Speaker Romualdez, the main proponent of AKAP said.