The House of Representatives approved a P292.23-billion increase to the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to enhance social services and ensure food security, among other purposes, Appropriations Committee chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co said Tuesday.
Co said the additional funding aims to assist low-income families, farmers, fisherfolk, students, and military personnel. He emphasized its importance, noting that it supplements the P591.8 billion already allocated for social welfare programs.
“The additional funding is crucial for supporting those in need. We’re providing assistance to struggling families especially during these challenging times,” said Co in a news release emailed by his office.
Key allocations include P39.8 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), tripling its 2024 budget to provide cash assistance for those earning P21,000 or less per month. The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program also receives an additional P39.8 billion.
In education, P30.01 billion will fund scholarships for underprivileged tertiary students through the Commission on Higher Education’s Tertiary Education Subsidy and ‘Tulong Dunong’ programs. The Department of Education, meanwhile, gets an extra P7 billion for school construction and repairs.
To bolster livelihood opportunities, P3.4 billion is allocated for the Sustainable Livelihood Program, while P20.28 billion will fund the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD and Government Internship Program.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will receive an additional P8.44 billion to increase subsistence allowances for military personnel, alongside P3.2 billion for infrastructure development in the West Philippine Sea.
Other significant allocations include P30 billion for agricultural irrigation projects, P44-billion for the National Irrigation Administration’s projects, and P56.87 billion for healthcare improvements, including hospital upgrades through the Department of Health.
