00:00The President's team of technocrats, economic managers, and budget review group defended the
00:052025 General Appropriations Act that the President egged today, saying it complies with provisions
00:10of the Constitution that affords the education sector the largest slice of the budget pie,
00:15followed by infra. PTD's Joshua Garcia tells us more.
00:20Along with the signing by President Ferdinand R. Marquez Jr. of the over six trillion peso
00:25national budget for the next year, more than P194 billion pesos worth of projects or line
00:30items have been vetoed as they were considered not aligned with the government's priorities.
00:35This was commented by the Department of Budget and Management. In a press briefing held at
00:39Malacanang, the DBM stated the education sector remains a top priority, followed by
00:44infrastructure and others. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan explained they considered the
01:03deferred projects that do not support the socioeconomic agenda of the current administration
01:08and still require further study. According to DBM, projects such as Ayuda sa Kaposangkita
01:29Program or ACAP will remain as is, but before funds are released, standards and guidelines
01:34must first be established in coordination with the DSWD, DOLE and NEDA to ensure continued
01:39assistance to those who truly need help. Meanwhile, in the same meeting, Executive
01:44Secretary Lucas Belsamin also assured the 2025 budget complies with the provisions of the
01:49Constitution. To ensure strict adherence to legal standards, 12 special provisions
02:10are subject to conditional implementation. Among them are programs of the DSWD, such as ACAP and
02:16Payapa at Masagal ng Pamayanan o Pamana Program. Meanwhile, the government's economic team is
02:21optimistic about the year 2025. According to NEDA, the 2025 national budget will focus on improving
02:26the lives of Filipinos. It will also bolster the agricultural sector, renewable energy,
02:31and digitalization efforts in the country.
02:46the country.
03:01On the part of the Department of Finance, it also ensured that every centavo of the signed budget
03:06will be allocated to the right programs and projects for the nation. Finance Secretary Ralph
03:10to seize a robust Philippine economy next year following the signing of the 2025 national budget.
03:16From PTV Manila, Joshua Garcia for Balita Pamansa.
