02

INSIDE STORIES

OPINION
the miner
Where truth lies below
the headlines.
Blatant
Anomalies Volume I | Issue I  Issue 1 January 9, 2024

03 FEATURE EXCLUSIVE REPORT

Future PBBM vetoes P194-B items in national

Focus
budget ●Angela Togonon
04
P
SPORTS resident Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law the P6.326-trillion
national budget for 2025 but disallowed more than P194 billion worth
of line items that he said were inconsistent with his administration’s
priorities on Monday.
Unstoppable In a media briefing, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said
Force President Marcos vetoed items including certain DPWH programs and
unprogrammed funds, which had quadrupled, during the budget signing
ceremony at the presidential palace.
“Cognizant that our resources are finite, and our people’s needs are plenty,
we need to carefully curate the particulars of the budget, so much so that even
grand ambitions and great plans must be tempered,” the President said.

📷
“We must exercise maximum prudence, otherwise we run the risk of
CLARITY FOR NATION. Budget Secretary enlightened young
increasing our deficit and debt and derailing our development agenda for our
journalists about the Philippine National Budget for 2025 in a country,” PBBM added.
media briefing this Dec 30, 2024. ●Angela Togonon PBBM was initially scheduled to sign the budget on Dec. 20, but it was
postponed to allow a more “rigorous” review after questions were raised over

BUDGET BOOST
revisions made by the bicameral conference committee.
The items that have been vetoed by Marcos included P26.065 billion
worth of projects under the DPWH and projects worth P168.24
billion under “unprogrammed appropriations.”
“The projects that have been vetoed were not ready for
implementation,” DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said.
“It will take us sometime anyway to make sure that these will
DBM: Education, infrastructure get biggest be implemented right away,” DPWH Secretary added.
Marcos also noted that unprogrammed appropriations under the
Congress-approved budget bill increased by 300%.
budget allocation in 2025 ●Angela Togonon At a media briefing after the signing ceremony, Budget Secretary said
unprogrammed appropriations now account for 4.7% of the General
Appropriations Act of 2025, “consistent” with the standard that standby
AROROY, Masbate —Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that the funds should only be 5% of the total budget.
education sector will receive the largest allocation from the P6.3 trillion national budget
in 2025, with P1.053 trillion allocated, while the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) follows closely with P1.034 trillion.
DATA SHOWS
In a media briefing dated Dec 30 2024, Budget Fiscal Strategy total budget
Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stated that the Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto revealed allocated for

P 6.326
funding is spread across the Department of Education that the government plans to spend approximately
(DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), P17.3 billion per day in 2025 and expressed confidence 2025 signed
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA)
in exceeding revenue targets.
“Given the magnitude of our responsibility, the DOF
by President
and other government agencies. will work 24 hours a day to meet our needs. We will Ferdinand Marcos
Budget Priorities
“The President ensured that the budget remained
true to our constitutional mandate,” the budget chief
ensure that every centavo will go to the right projects
and programs for the country,” Recto said.
Moreover, National Economic and Development
TRILLION Jr.
said. Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that
Pangandaman further expressed her gratitude the 2025 budget prioritizes strategic investments and
and relief that the government did not revert to a
reenacted budget by one of the Cabinet officials that
social services, with substantial allocations for health,
education, and infrastructure.
NEWS FLASH
collaborated with Marcos Jr. to thoroughly review the Balisacan also assured that planned spending will
budget. remain within the deficit ceiling and emphasized the Philippines national budget hikes to ₱6.976 Trillion
The budget chief also emphasized the need for clear government’s commitment to sustaining gains and
guidelines before releasing funds under the Ayuda accelerating efforts to meet development targets. for 2025
para sa Kapos Ang Kita (AKAP) program, Governments’ readiness
Budget Secretary stated that, “It is crucial to ensure Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan affirmed Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed that the 2025
assistance that reaches those in need and to avoid their readiness to tackle any challenges ahead, national budget increased 3.6% from the P5.768 trillion allocated in 2024
duplication”. pledging to advance infrastructure projects that will to P6.326 trillion.
DBM highlighted that unprogrammed improve the quality of life for Filipinos. Based from the media briefing after PBBM signed the national budget,
appropriations had been reduced through direct Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that the budget
veto, including the P26 billion worth of projects expressed confidence that the budget will withstand expansion aims to prioritize economic recovery, social welfare programs, and
under the DPWH and P168 billion in unprogrammed potential legal challenges saying, “We are confident climate resilience initiatives.
appropriations. but we can not prevent, we are discouraging the “The government is putting a lot of effort to allocate resources strategically,
challenges.” ensuring inclusive growth while addressing pressing national challenges,”
Pangandaman stated.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis said the 2025 General Appropriations
Act (GAA) resulted from a collaborative process involving various sectors,
FOCUSED UPDATES including the public.

“
Gov’t agencies unite for AKAP guidelines implementation
●Angela Togonon

T
o consistently release financial assistance as cashiers, janitors, sales ladies, and security guards,
to the qualified beneficiaries of Ayuda para
sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the
who are vulnerable to the rising consumer costs in the
country”, Pangandaman stated.
By prioritizing
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Moreover, Pangandaman explained that the P26 education and
infrastructure,
implemented regulations with the Department of billion allocated funds for AKAP which was questioned
Social Welfare (DSWD), Development of Labor and by the House of Representatives and Senate is also
Employment (DOLE), and National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA).
related with the implementation directives from the
DBM and the three other agencies which are necessary we are laying
Based on the media briefing dated Dec 30 2024, before the fund can be released or allocated for the the foundation
for a stronger,
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the program.
implementing rules are necessary to ensure that the “This process is called conditional implementation

more resilient
assistance is not duplicated for recipients in order to requires agencies to create rules, meet needs, and
allow more workers receive support and promising aid get approval. This process follows laws, reduces risks,
reaches right recipients.
“The AKAP assistance eligible are the near poor
uses resources wisely, stops unfair funding, promotes
openness, ensures accountability and helps effective
Philippines.
families whose income falls below the poverty line and management of funds and resources,” Pangandaman
those low-income and minimum wage workers, such emphasized.
 02 opinion Volume I | Issue 1 | November 8, 2024
The Official Publication of RSPC Region v
the miner
editorial
BLATANT ANOMALIES
The highest national budget in Philippine history, ₱6.352 trillion for 2025, was just signed and is hailed
as a framework for the nation’s progress and recovery. The greatest allocation, ₱1.053 trillion, will go to the
education sector, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with ₱1.034 trillion, would come in second. Despite
reflecting infrastructure goals and constitutional duties, this prioritization raises questions about how these
money will be used and who would truly benefit.
The budget also reflects the administration’s infrastructure agenda, as DPWH’s significant funding is expected
to contribute to economic recovery and create jobs.
The focus on education appears to be a good thing on the surface. In addition to providing a chance to
address the nation’s extreme learning poverty, which has left Filipino youth struggling with basic literacy and
numeracy, the allocation is in line with the Charter’s mandate that education be given top priority.
However, beneath these promising figures lies a deeper concern about priorities and execution. Critics
point out that essential services, such as healthcare and meaningful social subsidies, appear to have been
squeezed to accommodate other allocations, including discretionary funds often associated with “pork
barrel.”
In addition, analysts contend and believe that the 2025 national budget is anti-poor because its
provisions and allocations unfairly harm underprivileged groups. It is believed that taking
money away from social services like health and education ignores the needs of the
underprivileged and exacerbates already-existing disparities.
In reality, these potential constitutional violations highlight the need to carefully
review the budget to ensure compliance with the constitution. The Constitution’s
principles of accountability, transparency, equity, and commitment to national
interests, according to critics, must all be represented in the distribution process.
A former senior, Antonio Carpio, linked justice on the Supreme Court, proposed
passing a supplemental budget to address concerns about the health and
education sectors not receiving the needed mount money.
Through this manner, Mr. President Marcos shall meet his pledge that the
2025 budget would “uplift lives, strengthen communities, secure
the future development of the Philippines,” in addition to
allaying concerns about sneaky patronage politics
finding their way into the budget.

Angelica Yap
editorial board

Editor-in-chief

“
Zeinab Harake
News Editor
Cong TV
Jelai Andres Sports Editor
Opinion Editor

It
Camille Trinidad
Donnalyn Bartolome
is designed not just
Cartoonist
Layout Artist
Ivana Alawi
Feature Editor to address our present needs, but to
sustain growth and to uplift the lives of
generations that are yet to come.

Young Blood Grand Ambitions

“
●Rhea Josue

The focus of the administration on fundamental sectors that are On another front, it’s a positive step that the Ayuda para sa Kapos
crucial to the development of the country is seen in the 2025 national Ang Kita (AKAP) program now has clearer guidelines. Social aid
budget, which shows that it is an infrastructure and education a top programs often suffer from overlaps and inefficiencies, but Secretary
priority. The P1.053 trillion allocated to education demonstrates the Pangandaman’s emphasis on accountability could make a real

We’re really
government’s belief that it is a key component of long-term growth. difference.
The fact that it also supports the constitutional mandate to advance Still, ensuring smooth implementation at the grassroots level

doing our best

education is a pleasant welcome to Filipinos. The crucial investment remains a significant challenge. Many families are still grappling with
promises to solve urgent issues, such as classroom shortages and the pressures of inflation and lingering post-pandemic struggles,
instruction quality, in basic education, higher education, and technical making timely and targeted assistance more crucial than ever.

to alleviate the
training. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto’s confidence in exceeding revenue
This budget is about more than just constructing buildings; it’s targets is promising, but the burden of responsibility falls heavily on

hardships na
about connecting communities, boosting trade, and improving access the administration to ensure these ambitious plans are grounded in
to vital services, especially in underserved areas like Masbate. With a economic realities.
P1.034 trillion infrastructure allocation, the government is making a Moreover, the budget’s emphasis on strategic investments is an

dinadaanan ng
clear statement about its commitment to building the roads, bridges, encouraging sign. NEDA’s assurances of staying within the deficit
and facilities the country urgently needs. ceiling show a deliberate effort to balance ambition with pragmatism.

mga tao.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bengan’s pledge to deliver high- The public is watching closely, particularly amid assurances from
quality projects is encouraging, but it also raises a big question: can Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamir that legal challenges will not
agencies follow through without the usual delays and inefficiencies? hinder implementation. As the country embarks on another year of
The real challenge isn’t just making promises—it’s delivering results fiscal growth, the government must demonstrate that this budget is
on time and within budget. more than just numbers—it must be a tool for real, inclusive progress.

A Cut Back to Move Forward Point of View

●Rhea Josue

“
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent veto of over P194 billion in the to setting aside standby funds. This aligns with the tradition of capping
2025 national budget highlights his administration’s commitment to these reserves at no more than five percent of the overall budget. It’s a
fiscal prudence and strategic spending. The decision, made during the move that strikes a balance between maintaining financial stability and
budget signing ceremony at the presidential palace, underscores a careful addressing urgent needs.
approach to curating the budget to align with the government’s develop- However, the veto of over P194 billion has sparked debates about how
ment priorities. the government should juggle budget discipline with the need to fund
Through reducing unprogrammed appropriations and cutting down on
certain DPWH projects, the President seeks to avoid increasing the coun-
critical social services and infrastructure.
Despite this setback, DPWH Secretary Manuel Benean assured the We must
try’s debt and deficit, ensuring a sustainable financial path for the future.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that the vetoed
public that while it may take time to revisit and implement these vetoed
projects, the department remains committed to completing them proper- ensure every
items, totaling P194 billion, were inconsistent with the administration’s
priorities, particularly in areas that lacked readiness for immediate imple-
ly when the timing and circumstances are right.
President Marcos’ decision to veto parts of the national budget reflects peso spent
mentation. This comes as Marcos stressed the value of balancing large
objectives with doable, realistic initiatives that will eventually benefit the
a careful and forward-looking strategy. By focusing on economic stability
and aligning resources with long-term goals, the administration aims translates to
country.
The decision to cut unprogrammed appropriations to 4.7% of the
to prioritize meaningful and sustainable projects over quick but less
impactful spending. This approach underlines a commitment to building real progress.
General Appropriations Act for 2025 shows a more cautious approach a stronger and more resilient future for the nation.
the miner feature 03
Volume I | Issue 1 | November 8, 2024
The Official Publication of RSPC Region v