President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a meeting with top government officials on Monday to review key provisions in the proposed national budget for next year.
Mr. Marcos met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, members of the Economic Cluster, and Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan.
The Economic Cluster—composed of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan—provided detailed input on the spending plan, which was received in printed form late Friday afternoon last week.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of acting promptly on the measure, aiming to sign it before the year ends.
The proposed budget is expected to outline the administration’s priorities for 2025, focusing on economic recovery, infrastructure development, and public welfare initiatives.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez noted that discussions during the recent meetings were solely focused on the 2025 budget proposal.
“In the past two meetings that I attended with them, there was never discussion on that [reenacted budget],” Chavez said.
Last week, the President assured the public that the proposed 2025 national budget will be signed into law before Dec. 31.
“I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” President Marcos told Palace reporters, addressing concerns over the delayed signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The president announced that his administration is reviewing the approved budget line-by-line to ensure resources are allocated to essential projects and programs.
Although the budget was scheduled for signing on December 20, he indicated that more time is needed to evaluate specific provisions, particularly those added during bicameral discussions.
