PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved House Bill No. 10800, often known as the 2025 General Appropriation Act (GAA), as urgent for passage in the Philippine Senate.
In a letter to Senate President Francis Escudero dated October 29, Marcos affirmed the importance of enacting the GAA, which includes the projected P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025.
It was created to ensure the continuous operation of essential government functions, secure funding for critical initiatives, and allow the government to effectively address new challenges.
The message was handed over to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The anticipated 2024 national budget is 9.5% larger than this year’s P5.268 trillion.
The national budget law should be authorized and signed by the President before the end of each fiscal year to prevent having to reenact the budget the following year.
On September 25, the House of Representatives adopted the proposed P6.352 trillion budget for 2025 in its third and final reading.
House Bill No. 10800 received support from 285 lawmakers, with three casting votes against it.
The decision came a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the matter urgent.
A measure designated urgent by the President permits Congress to pass the law on second and third readings on the same day.
A month later, the House sent its version of the General Appropriations Bill to the Senate.
The submission occurred while Metro Manila was under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).#