The House of Representatives has passed the proposed ₱6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, following its third and final reading on Wednesday night, just a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified the bill as urgent.
House Bill 10800, officially titled “An Act Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” garnered overwhelming support, with 285 lawmakers voting in favor and three opposing it.
House Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez expressed his appreciation for the lawmakers’ dedication to passing the budget on time. “You have consistently displayed enthusiasm, fairness, and thorough scrutiny of the budget… We completed the job of reviewing the 2025 national budget on schedule,” Romualdez said.
He highlighted that the approval paves the way for government investments in infrastructure, human development, and environmental protection, and ensures funding for flagship projects. Romualdez also credited the budget’s impact on the country’s economic growth, noting a 6.1% GDP increase in the second quarter of 2024.
However, opposition voices, such as Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, raised concerns about insufficient allocations for housing, agriculture, and state universities. “The national budget should cater to the needs of the people. We need sufficient funds for health, agriculture, and social services,” Brosas said.
The House will reconvene on November 4, 2024, to tackle other legislative matters.
