Photo from Official Gazette/Website

MANILA, Philippines — Some P253.3 billion has been set aside in the 2025 budget for cash assistance or “ayuda” for the vulnerable sectors of society, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.

In a news release, the DBM said the budget allocation for the financial assistance is in line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which focuses on implementing economic and social transformations, including the strengthening of every Filipino’s capabilities by reducing their vulnerabilities and safeguarding their purchasing power.

The budget allocation is higher than the 2021, 2022, and 2023 allocations, which amounted to P200.9 billion, P276.8 billion, and P251.3 billion.

For 2024, total appropriations for ayuda or cash assistance programs amounted to P318.5 billion.

This covers financial assistance programs being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, including the Rice Farmers Assistance program and Fuel Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk; the Department of Health’s Cancer Assistance Fund, Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients; Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers Program; and other social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, such as Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, and granting of additional benefits to Filipino centenarians.

The implementation of fuel subsidy for the transport sector under the Department of Transportation is also included in the appropriation.

The budget allocation will ensure the continuous implementation of the above-mentioned programs and other initiatives including the Philippine Food Stamp, one of the priority programs of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to the DBM.

Education still top priority

The education sector remains the top priority in the proposed P6.3 trillion national budget for 2025, accounting for 15.4 percent of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) or P977.6 billion.

This is higher than the P968.9 billion allocation in this year’s budget, the DBM noted.

The budget will support programs of the DepEd, including the MATATAG Agenda for Basic Education.

Higher allocations will also be provided for other vital education programs, such as the school-based feeding program.

Meanwhile, access to quality education will also be at the forefront of the government’s education agenda through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education and the Education Assistance and Subsidies. (PNA)