The plenary discussions on the proposed ₱6.352 trillion budget for 2025 will begin today, Monday, September 16, in the House of Representatives.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez stated that the budget supports President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s Agenda for Prosperity and Bagong Pilipinas programs.
The budget aims to aid farmers and fishermen by increasing their production and income, leading to a more abundant food supply and lower prices that will benefit all Filipinos.
According to Speaker Romualdez, the proposed budget will serve as a “roadmap” for expanding infrastructure and supporting education, particularly through the construction of roads and classrooms in communities that need them the most.
Speaker Romualdez expressed his gratitude to House Committee on Appropriations Chairman, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and Senior Vice Chairperson, Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, for completing the budget proposal on time.
Based on the deliberation schedule, eight days have been allotted for the plenary debate, starting at 10 AM on Monday and concluding before the adjournment on September 25.
Today’s deliberation will begin with the sponsorship speech of Rep. Co, followed by debates on the general principles and proposed budgets of the Department of Finance, Department of Justice, and the National Economic and Development Authority, along with their attached agencies and lump sum budgets.
On Tuesday, the proposed budgets of the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), including the Human Rights Violations’ Memorial Commission, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, and Department of Labor and Employment will be discussed, along with their attached agencies.
On Wednesday, the proposed budgets of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, and various state colleges and universities will be tackled.
Thursday’s deliberation will focus on the proposed budgets of the Department of National Defense, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and their attached agencies, including budgetary support for government corporations.
On Friday, the proposed budgets of the Presidential Communications Office, Department of Science and Technology, Metro Manila Development Authority, and other executive offices and government corporations will be discussed.
From September 23 to 25, the remaining departments, agencies, and executive offices will be taken up. This includes the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Energy, Education, Social Welfare and Development, Transportation, Civil Service Commission, and Commission on Audit.
The Appropriations Committee’s recommendation to reduce the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will be discussed on September 23.