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Friday, January 24, 2025
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Friday, January 24, 2025

P400m DOT budget reinstated; Vax institute assured of funding

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured enough funding for three government projects aimed at boosting tourism, expanding irrigation infrastructure, and beefing up the country’s response to future pandemics.

He directed the Department of Budget and Management to reinstate the P400-million branding budget for the Department of Tourism to sustain the country’s momentum in promoting its global image.

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The funding will come from the President’s contingency fund, the Palace said.

Mr. Marcos also committed to ensure adequate funding for the National Irrigation Administration to upgrade the country’s irrigation infrastructure, particularly through the construction of large multi-purpose dams.

In a meeting with NIA officials, Marcos highlighted the importance of projects outlined in the 2025 budget, including P20.84 billion for pump irrigation, P7.88 billion for the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project Stage 2, and P2.49 billion Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II in Tarlac.

Mr. Marcos also reaffirmed his commitment to the construction of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), emphasizing its critical role in preparing for future pandemics and addressing viruses affecting humans, animals, and plants.

FUNDING FOR VAX INSTITUTE. President Marcos, during a meeting with Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, gives assurance that the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines currently under construction will have adequate financial support up to completion.

He said the government would secure the P680 million needed to prevent delays in the institute’s construction, despite the lack of allocation in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ 2025 budget.

“We prepare for the big one, the big pandemic,” President Marcos said.

As this developed, Mr. Marcos likewise emphasized the importance of maintaining the progress achieved in boosting the Philippines’ international profile during a meeting at Malacañang Palace with Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

He cited the recent accomplishments of Filipino talents, such as two-time gymnastics world champion Carlos Yulo and The Voice U.S. champion Sofronio Vasquez, as key contributors to the country’s growing reputation on the world stage.

“We have to maintain the momentum,” Mr. Marcos said on Wednesday.

Frasco expressed full support for the reinstatement of the branding budget, explaining its necessity for sustaining the DOT’s campaigns.

Mr. Marcos also called for the removal of Department of Social Welfare and Development programs from the unprogrammed appropriations in next year’s budget, aiming to expedite assistance for Filipinos in need.

“DSWD programs should no longer [be] in the unprogrammed appropriation next year. It should already be in the programmed appropriation to ensure quick access,” Mr. Marcos said. 

For his part, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian reiterated that the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) is a laudable step that allows low-income earners or the “near-poor” sector to also avail of the social protection services of the government.

“The AKAP program, it’s social protection. That’s the job of the state — to take care of its citizens and it’s not enough that we just take care of the poor. We have expanded to include the low-income or the near-poor as they call it, we are now able to protect them as well,” Gatchalian said.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos restores P400-m for Philippines’ branding in DOT budget.”

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