Speaker Martin Romualdez. SCREENSHOT FROM RTVM/LIVE
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is scheduled to approve the proposed 2025 national budget on third and final reading on Wednesday (September 25) since the plenary debates on September 16.
Speaker Martin Romualdez said that the scheduled approval before the lower chamber goes on recess “would give the Senate enough time for its own debate-passage process.”
“We have sufficient time to finally agree on the budget before yearend. It is the most important piece of legislation Congress passes every year,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“Next year’s spending legislation will serve as our tool for sustained economic development. It will support the Agenda for Prosperity programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.,” he added.
So far, the lower chamber already approved the proposed funding of the following departments, including their attached agencies:
- Department of Finance
- Department of Justice
- National Economic and Development Authority
- The judiciary
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Commission on Human Rights
- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
- Department of Interior and Local Government
- Department of Tourism
- Development of Labor and Employment
- Commission on Elections
- Department of Agrarian Reform
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of National Defense
- Department of Migrant Workers
- Presidential Communications Office
- Department of Science and Technology
- Metro Manila Development Authority
- State colleges and universities, and government corporations
Below is the list of agencies that is scheduled for plenary debates this week:
- Office of the President
- Office of the Vice President
- Department of Agriculture
- National Irrigation Administration
- Department of Health
- Department of Energy
- Energy Regulatory Commission
- Civil Service Commission
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Commission on Audit
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Congress
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Public Works and Highways
- Department of Education and several executive offices
“Before approving the budget on Wednesday, the House will hear Turno En Contra remarks by those opposed to the outlay, followed by the period of amendments,” Romualdez’s office said.
“Due to expected numerous amendment suggestions, the House, as in previous years, is expected to create a small committee to take charge of the proposals,” it added.