00:00The government's most sought-after public service is expected next year.
00:05This is because next week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
00:11will be awarding the 2025 National Budget, which is estimated to be worth Php 6.3 trillion.
00:18Mela Lesmora is in the center of the news.
00:22President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has just signed the bill
00:26that will allow the 2025 National Budget to be passed.
00:32Last night, the two members of Congress
00:35ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on this matter.
00:39In the last hearing of the BICAM,
00:41the House and Senate agreed to maintain the P733 million fund
00:47from the office of the Vice President
00:49from the more than Php 2 billion allocated to the National Expenditure Program.
00:54According to the Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Grace Poe,
00:58despite the budget cut, the OVP will still be able to fulfill their duties.
01:03All of us have a wish list that we want to give.
01:09But in the end, the majority will also be affected.
01:12I would like to remind them that the OVP still has a social services allotment of Php 600 million.
01:27They can still use it. They did not lose it.
01:31As for the financial assistance initiative,
01:37as a help to low-income and minimum wage earners,
01:40the budget for this was also maintained.
01:42But there are some changes.
01:45The initial amount requested by the House is Php 39 billion, if I'm not mistaken.
01:51We lowered it to Php 20 plus billion.
01:58Before, this was just a House initiative.
02:01But as a co-equal body,
02:05and to have transparency,
02:08the Senate also has a chance to help through the OVP.
02:15It was also assured by the BICAM that there is a budget for the addition of daily subsistence allowance for soldiers.
02:21In conclusion, the leadership of the two constituencies of the Congress assured...
02:25We will ensure that this will be used properly and there is a direction for the benefit of the people.
02:33It is not because the Congress is biased,
02:36not because the Senate and Congress just follow the will of the President.
02:41The logic behind this is simple.
02:44Our fellow countrymen were given a big mandate by the President
02:48to fulfill his promises, plans, and visions for our country.
02:53In a statement, Budget Secretary Amina Pangandaman thanked
02:57the vigorous action and passing of the House and Senate on the budget.
03:02This is important for the continuation of the government's operations and programs.
03:07According to the Presidential Communications Office,
03:09the President may pass the 2025 General Appropriations Bill on December 20.
03:15Mela Lesmoras for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
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