Despite the President's veto of P194 billion from the national budget, a New York-based think tank argues that the current budget may fall short of achieving the country's development goals. GlobalSource Partners Inc. analysts criticize the budget's framework, stating that prioritizing legislators' favored public works projects leaves insufficient funds for crucial social programs like education and healthcare. They also highlight the President's decision to maintain funding for the House of Representatives and Senate while eliminating PhilHealth subsidies.
DESPITE the President’s veto of P194 billion from the national budget, a New York-based think tank believes the budget in its current form may not be enough to meet the country’s development goals .
Guinigundo and Mañalac noted that while President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. kept the allocation for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program , he also allowed the zero subsidy for PhilHealth. However, the President even decided “not to touch” the increase in the allocations for the House of Representatives and the Philippine Senate.
Guinigundo and Mañanlac said the budget, set at P6.352 trillion and accounts for 22.1 percent of the country’s GDP, still prioritizes debt servicing and defense spending. “A simple examination of the budget for next year shows not one but several areas of disconnect with the avowed social goals and commitments,” Guinigundo and Mañalac said.
They noted that the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act gives the Department of Public Works and Highways a budget of P1.1 trillion while the Department of Education only received P737 billion. “The non-provision of subsidy is seen as a violation of the Constitution which mandates the State to prioritize the needs of the underprivileged including the elderly, disabled, women and children,” the analysts said.
Philippine Budget Development Goals Think Tank Social Programs Deficit Spending
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