President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos approved the proposed P6.352-T National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025 during a Cabinet meeting held at the Malacanan Palace on Tuesday, July 2.
The proposed National Expenditure Program is set to support the key pillars of the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. This will prioritize food security, social protection, healthcare, housing, disaster resilience, infrastructure, digital connectivity, and energization.
Under the approved NEP, the agencies getting the lion’s share of government appropriations include education, public works, health, interior and local government, and defense.
Additionally, among the government top priorities are social welfare (DSWS), Agriculture (DA) and attached corporations; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); Department of Transportation (DOTr), the judiciary, and justice.
“You see a really good thing”, President Marcos said when Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman presented the proposed national budget for 2025. “Since I’ve seen it before on the macro level, I think the priorities in terms of our proposed appropriations, upon addressing it, weighted our priorities properly in terms of appropriations,” he added.
In terms of expense class, getting the largest chunk are maintenance and other operating expenses followed by personnel services, capital outlays, and financial expenses.
The factors considered by the government in evaluating the 2025 budget proposal were availability of fiscal space, implementation and readiness of Program/Activity/Projects, agency’s absorptive capacity, alignment with Budget Priorities Framework and PDP 2023-2028.
The Public Investment Program (PIP), Three-Year Infrastructure Program (TRIP), Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP), and Program Convergence were also tagged key factors.
Pillar 1 of the PDP 2023-2028 involves the development and protection of the capabilities of individuals and families. This involves the promotion of human and social development, reducing vulnerabilities and protecting people’s purchasing power, as well as increasing their income-earning ability.
Under the plan’s Pillar 2, the government aims to transform production of the nation’s sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products that includes modernizing agriculture and agri-business, revitalizing the industry, and reinvigorating services.
Lastly, Pillar 3 focuses on creating an enabling bureaucratic environment. This involves practicing good governance and improving bureaucratic efficiency, ensuring macroeconomic stability and expanding inclusive and innovative finance, ensuring peace and security, and enhancing administration of justice. This also includes expanding and upgrading infrastructure, accelerating climate action and strengthening disaster resilience.
