House Speaker Martin Romualdez called on the bicameral conference committee (bicam) to put Filipinos first, especially their daily needs when finalizing the 2025 national budget.
During the bicam’s meeting on Thursday, Romualdez urged the committee to find common ground in addressing the needs of the Filipinos. As lawmakers, Romualdez stressed that it is their responsibility to be productive in their discussions to ensure that the citizens’ needs are prioritized.
Part of completing the process is to amend the versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“Let’s focus on what will make the biggest difference for the Filipino people. The programs that matter, the services they rely on, and the investments that will move this country forward — those should be non-negotiable,” Romualdez said.
Additionally, Romualdez believes that the budget will have a lasting impact on the nation, noting that it can either improve or disrupt the lives of millions of Filipinos.
“Our version of the budget reflects the priorities of the Filipino people. We focus on what’s urgent: keeping food prices down, creating jobs, making healthcare accessible, improving education, and ensuring disaster preparedness,” Romualdez highlighted.
While their version has a different approach compared to the Senate, Romualdez assured that they share the same goal of aiming for an inclusive budget.
“The outcome must be the same: a budget that works for everyone — from the farmers in rural provinces to the workers in urban centers, from small business owners to young students dreaming of a better life,” he stressed.
Apart from Romualdez’s proposal, the members of the House also affirmed their stance on defending the funds for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda Para Sa Kapos Program (AKAP). The Speaker also urged the Senate to uphold the program’s budget as it is a lifeline for millions of Filipino families.
