THE SENATE on Tuesday authorised its model of the federal government’s proposed P6.352-trillion nationwide funds subsequent 12 months, with senators prioritizing funding for the Schooling, Well being and Protection departments.
By a vote of 17 for, none in opposition to, and one abstaining, senators authorised their invoice outlining the federal government’s spending plan for 2025, the core of which is Home Invoice No. 10800. All funds proposals by regulation originate with the Home.
Senator and Finance Committee Chairperson Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares stated the spending priorities included schooling, well being, and livelihood packages.
At Tuesday’s plenary session, Senators proposed no amendments to the funds invoice, after having earlier within the day handed it on second studying.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had certified the proposed 2025 nationwide funds as pressing, which allowed Congress to put off the three-day interval between invoice readings.
In her speech earlier than the invoice’s approval late Tuesday, Ms. Poe stated the Senate’s funds invoice elevated the funding for Well being division’s most cancers management and help program, and direct funding to the College of the Philippines Genome Heart to conduct research on illness outbreaks. She didn’t specify the quantity added.
The spending plan additionally consists of extra funding for cellular laboratories, hospital tools, ambulances, and the development of hospitals.
Within the Senate committee report on the funds invoice, the Division of Well being and its businesses are to obtain an allocation of P277.996 billion, up 28% hike from the P217.388 billion proposed by the Price range division.
Senators voted for extra funding without spending a dime greater education schemes at state universities and schools in addition to subsidies for school college students from low-income households. The spending plan additionally consists of funding for good TVs in public faculty school rooms subsequent 12 months.
“That is to meet schooling’s position as the nice equalizer for all to make sure our students are those that are really in want,” she stated.
Senators additionally agreed to set engineering requirements and a cap on overhead bills in constructing new school rooms, which was set at 0.5% of development value.
Final 12 months, the Schooling division failed to fulfill its goal of constructing 6,379 school rooms, finishing solely 3,600.
The Division of Schooling (DepEd) was allotted P751.68 billion subsequent 12 months, whereas state schools and universities had been granted P117.97 billion, in response to the Senate Finance committee report on the funds invoice.
Senators additionally agreed to boost the month-to-month pension for poor senior citizen beneficiaries to P1,000 per 30 days from P500.
Ms. Poe stated the spending plan will embrace elevated funding for post-harvest amenities and the Division of Agriculture’s Agricultural Aggressive Enhancement Fund (ACEF lending program), which helps fisheries and farm manufacturing.
The proposed P6.325-trillion funds, as authorised by the Senate finance committee, earmarked P255.99 billion for the Division of Nationwide Protection.
The committee report additionally features a P933.14-billion funds for the Division of Public Works and Highways, together with P320 billion for flood management tasks.
Ms. Poe’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for a 3rd studying copy and breakdown of the Senate’s funds invoice.
The Home authorised the 2025 normal appropriations invoice in September. It was transmitted to the Senate on Oct. 25.
Legislators are set to harmonize each chambers’ variations of the funds in Bicameral Convention Committee earlier than ratifying it and submitting it to the Palace for the President’s signature. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
