Senate Committee on Finance chairperson, Senator Grace Poe, on Tuesday night presented to the plenary House Bill 10800 or the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) containing the PHP6.352 trillion proposed national budget with the commitment of prioritizing support for Filipinos.

In her sponsorship speech, Poe said the proposed 2025 national budget prioritizes social services, health, education, jobs, technology, infrastructure, and human development.

“This budget isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s a promise to every Filipino that their own government serves and works for them, not the other way around,” Poe said.

She also emphasized that the 2025 budget aims to ensure accountability and efficient use of funds.

“This budget isn’t just a series of numbers. It’s a blueprint of our priorities, the most important investment of our government, and the heartbeat of our nation’s future,” Poe said.

In healthcare, the proposed budget augments the Department of Health’s (DOH) Facilities Enhancement Program Fund for 700 rural health units, 300 local and DOH hospitals, and clinics.

It also allocates funds for nutrition programs targeting pregnant women, youth, and children.

“Health starts in the womb. To effectively address malnutrition and stunting, we have to put money where our mouths are,” Poe said.

Education receives a significant boost amounting to PHP9.9 billion which includes increased funding for teaching materials and continued support for education assistance programs and free tuition.

“This is a staggering 106 percent increase from the 2024 budget after the passage of RA 11997 or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act. We also left intact the budget for education assistance programs and subsidies, and the continuation of the free tuition under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program,” Poe said.

Social protection programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), food stamps, and housing assistance, are retained and expanded.

Transportation initiatives include fuel subsidies for around 1 million PUV drivers, continuation of the Service Contracting Program, and improved road safety measures that shall benefit over 40 million commuters and 20,000 drivers.

Livelihood programs shall provide seed capital and support for farmers, fisherfolk, and those seeking employment under the budget.

Poe assured that programs of the Department of Agriculture has funding for fertilizer subsidies that can help farmers access essential resources at lower costs.

She said a subsidy program will also allow them to apply the right amount of nutrients to their crops, leading to higher yields and better quality produce.

“By equipping Filipinos with skills that industries require, we will expand employment opportunities for them. This approach not only reduces the unemployment rate in the country but also contributes to a brighter future for Filipino families. Technical and vocational training is a practical way to connect our citizens to stable and dignified livelihoods here and abroad,” Poe said.

The budget also embraces technology, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in combating financial crimes and enhancing judicial processes.

“As a testament to this, we will support the utilization of Artificial Intelligence in the examination of suspicious transactions by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and in the court transcriptions, legal research, and case management of the Judiciary,” Poe said.

Poe ended her sponsorship speech by thanking her colleagues, especially the 14 vice chairpersons of the finance committee for rigorously reviewing every agency’s request “to ensure that every centavo works for the Filipino people.” (PNA)