President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R.Marcos, Jr. (Official Facebook page of Presidential Communications Office)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed into law the P6.326 trillion national budget for 2025.

Marcos signed the budget in a ceremony in Malacañang, coinciding with the country’s observation of Rizal Day.

Article continues after this advertisement

The 2025 national budget initially amounted to P6.352 trillion but was reduced to P6.326 trillion following the veto of P194 billion line items deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priority programs.

FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Ombudsman upholds graft charges vs ex-DA undersecretary NEWSINFO Pagasa: Rain to prevail due to 3 weather systems NEWSINFO Marcos signs P6.3 trillion 2025 national budget, vetoes P194 billion

These include roughly P26 billion worth of programs and projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways and P168 billion unprogrammed appropriations.

“While the final version of the budget reflects many of our shared priorities, some provisions required careful scrutiny. The Filipino people have spoken: every centavo must go to programs that truly uplift lives, strengthen communities, secure the future development of the Philippines,” Marcos said.

The 91-, 182-, and 364-day T-bills fetched average rates of 5.444 percent, 5.668 percent, and 5.623 percent, respectively.

Apeco president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV said in a recent interview that he will embark on a follow-through investment mission to the United States from Oct. 20 to 27 to talk to firms about their investment interests inside the zone, especially in seaport and defense hub development.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We take our role as stewards of our taxpayers’ money seriously. And for this reason, after an exhaustive and thorough review, we have directly vetoed over P194 billion worth of the line items that are not consistent with our programmed priorities,” he added. 

Article continues after this advertisement

In addition, Marcos pursued a conditional implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which will now be implemented in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment, and the National Economic and Development Authority.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aside from AKAP, 11 more projects or programs were placed under conditional implementation.

The budget for projects or programs under conditional implementation will not be immediately released until its implementing agencies have released guidelines.

Article continues after this advertisement

“This way we ensure that its implementation will be strategic leading to the long-term improvement of the lives of qualified beneficiaries, while guarding against misuse, and duplication, and fragmented benefits,” Marcos pointed out.

“This approach is anchored on a simple yet profound truth: the appropriation of public funds must not break the public trust,” he added.

The signing of the budget was initially scheduled for December 20 but was deferred to make way for further review.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

best online casino real money no deposit

The final version of the proposed national budget for next year saw significant cuts to the  budget of the DSWD (P86 billion)jili777, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (P74.5 billion) and Department of Education (P12 billion).

READ NEXT The relentless march of storms that tested PH preparedness Year of the House: Chamber bares fangs EDITORS' PICK Marcos enjoins Filipinos to embody Rizal's patriotism EDITORIAL: Prioritize tax measures ‘Bird stuck in wing,’ passenger on crashed plane says in texts to family Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 Why Piolo Pascual was ‘kilig’ working with Vic Sotto in ‘The Kingdom’ Rainy Rizal Day expected due to 3 weather systems MOST READ Labor group to question Quiboloy’s candidacy in SC Marcos signs P6.3 trillion 2025 national budget, vetoes P194 billion 'What happened?' asks flight attendant rescued from deadly plane crash Puerto Rican boxer Paul Bamba dies six days after winning WBA belt Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments