00:00The Congress or Legislature is on track and scheduled to enact the 2025 General Appropriations Bill to law
00:06after hurdling third and final rating earlier today with 18 senators voting yes.
00:12So there's more than enough time to argue and then come together or compromise on a final bill at the bicameral level
00:18before the President inks the most important piece of legislation before year end
00:22as we hear more from our Daniel Manalastas.
00:25The Senate has approved on third and final reading Tuesday the proposed 2025 National Budget or the 2025 General Appropriations Bill
00:36garnering 18 yes votes.
00:38Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Senator Grace Poe said she's confident saying they fulfilled their promise.
00:45Every decision is regretted. Every fund is assured to have the right purpose.
00:51You were able to form a humane, fair, and balanced budget.
00:58Poe narrated some of the highlights of the budget like more importantly the program for health, education, livelihood, and more.
01:05In order to ensure the continuous and more affordable hospital and medicine for our countrymen,
01:12we raised the fund for medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients.
01:21Meanwhile regarding the contentious issue on the budget of the Office of the Vice President and the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program or ACAP,
01:29in a text message Poe said the budgets of the two will be determined through the Bicameral Conference Committee
01:36which means the budget of the OVP will remain at the General Appropriations Bill level
01:41while ACAP's budget will be restored to the National Expenditure Program's level.
01:46Meanwhile Poe also assured programs for housing, employment, nutrition, agriculture.
01:52Senators also addressed the budget for the disaster, tourism, and transportation.
01:57Senator Javier Hercedo confirmed meanwhile the restoration of the AFP Modernization Program's budget.
02:04I'm very happy at least kahitapano napalitin 10 million.
02:08Given the precarious situation, sensitive situation in the West Philippines, all the more that we need to support the modernization.
02:16Meanwhile in light of the President's order to ban POGO, Poe assured this will be funded well.
02:22We augmented the budget for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
02:27so that they can hire additional personnel and effectively implement the crackdown on POGO activities,
02:33especially those operating underground.
02:36Daniel Mananastas from the National TV for a new and better Philippines.
