President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on government agencies to responsibly allocate and utilize the 2025 national budget to address key national priorities and sustain economic growth.

On Monday, Marcos signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) into law, following a veto of PHP194 billion in line items that he deemed inconsistent with his administration’s priorities. This reduced the original PHP6.352 trillion budget to PHP6.326 trillion.

In a veto message released on Tuesday, Marcos highlighted that the 2025 budget embodies Congress’ “liberal exercise of the power of the purse.” He urged government agencies to ensure the budget’s strategic implementation to achieve key economic and social objectives.

“I call on the conscientious utilization of this Budget with the end in mind of sustaining the country’s high-growth trajectory and managing inflation while accelerating the implementation of well-targeted social services and structural reforms geared towards achieving our medium-term goals of reducing poverty incidence, decreasing unemployment rates, and achieving upper middle-income status,” Marcos stated.

While acknowledging significant adjustments to the GAA compared to the original proposal, Marcos reiterated his administration’s commitment to advancing reforms in public financial management, procurement, and digitalization.

The President underscored the necessity of a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach” to enhance public service efficiency and transparency. “While we have attained much thus far, we still have a long way to go in achieving a truly inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof economy,” he said.

Strategic Vetoes for Fiscal Prudence

Marcos emphasized that his vetoes aim to ensure that government spending aligns with the immediate and strategic needs of the Filipino people while upholding fiscal sustainability.

“We must be clearly driven by this goal because much as we want to do everything we wish for our people immediately and all at the same time, our finite resources compel us to exercise sound judgment to ensure our fiscal sustainability—we must not compromise our future,” he explained.

The vetoes included PHP26.065 billion worth of projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways and PHP168.240 billion allocated to unprogrammed appropriations. Additionally, certain programs, such as the Ayuda Para sa Kapos Ang Kita Program, were subjected to “conditional implementation” under the 2025 GAA. Agencies tasked with implementing these programs must issue guidelines to ensure adherence to relevant laws, policies, and regulations.

Driving Forward with Fiscal Reforms

Marcos concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of programming national priorities within the constraints of available resources. His administration remains focused on fostering inclusive growth, improving social services, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

As the government embarks on implementing the 2025 GAA, the emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and targeted spending remains at the forefront to achieve long-term economic goals. (PNA)