The government is planning a P1.307-trillion spending program for the fourth quarter to boost year-end economic growth, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Thursday.
The bulk of the programmed expenditure is earmarked for social services, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the funds directly benefit the Filipino people in the final stretch of 2025.
Data showed that the DBM released notices of cash allocations (NCAs) amounting to P1.133 trillion as of Oct. 27, 2025, out of the total fourth-quarter program.
Key allocations for social services include P9.52 billion for the balance of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer scheme under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
They also cover P7.03 billion for payouts under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program; P5.77 billion for the social pension benefits for indigent senior citizens; P4.83 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program to support vulnerable sectors; and P2.74 billion for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) to cover the Quick Response Fund (QRF) replenishment and emergency cash transfers (ECT) in anticipation of possible typhoons.
Education remains a priority, with fourth-quarter releases for the Department of Education (DepEd) amounting to P203.82 billion. This includes P153.71 billion for personnel services to cover year-end benefits for teachers and personnel, including the year-end bonus, and P11.4 billion for Salary Standardization Law (SSL) adjustments. About P23.62 billion is for school operations and P32.79 billion for government assistance and subsidies.
An additional P31.78 billion was released to state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to support programs like the Free Higher Education (FHE) and Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).
To support employment and livelihood, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) received P4.89 billion for continued implementation of programs, including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program and the Government Internship Program (GIP).
The Department of Health (DOH) was allocated funds for essential health services, including P4.3 billion for operational expenses of hospitals in Metro Manila and P9.96 billion for regional hospitals.
Other health-related releases include P787.95 million for subsidies under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and P179 million for the Cancer Assistance Fund.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) was allocated P7.33 billion for the National Rice Program and P2.47 billion for the National Livestock Program. The National Food Authority (NFA) has P2.29 billion available for its buffer stocking and targeted rice distribution programs.
Government employees, including teachers, will receive a total of P63.7 billion for year-end benefits as included in the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
