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Nat’l budget to be signed before yearend — PBBM

19 December 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he would sign the PhP6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 before yearend.

The President said the expenditure program, particularly some insertions not part of the original budget request, must be scrutinized.

In a media interview following an event at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President said the proposed 2025 national expenditure program was approved by both houses of Congress.

It’s up to the executive branch to decide on the next move, he added.

“It’s finished in Congress. Tapos na. So, it’s up to us now to look at the items and to see what are appropriate, what are relevant, and what are the priorities,” the President said.

“I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” he added, noting the original schedule was to sign the national outlay on December 20.

The President said he wanted to be sure the 2025 budget will be directed to priority projects. It must have stronger safeguards on spendings, particularly on insertions, he added.

Lawmakers are discovering some project proposals without appropriate program of work or documentation. They also lack clarity where the money will be spent.

“Hindi naman tayo nagkaroon ng napakalaking budget na savings. Hindi nga. Kulang-kulang. Kaya’t kailangang maingat na maingat tayo kasi ‘yung ginagastos diyan ay, hindi naman karamihan pero meron diyan, utang,” he explained.

“Kaya’t kailangan mapunta sa tama para mabayaran natin ‘yung utang. May bawi naman tayo doon sa ginastos natin, doon sa inutang natin. That’s what we are trying to clarify,” he added. | PND