MANILA - The leadership of the House of Representatives has pledged to prioritize and expedite the passage of the 2025 national budget and other key legislative measures, aligning closely with the goals set by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, the House is preparing to receive the proposed PHP6.352 trillion National Expenditure Program, expected to be submitted by the Department of Budget and Management shortly after the President's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 29. This budget, which represents a 10-percent increase over this year's allocation and accounts for 22 percent of the country's GDP, is aimed at fueling continued national growth and addressing citizen needs.
Romualdez emphasized the House’s readiness to complete budget deliberations by the end of September. He also noted the urgency of passing other priority measures outlined during the SONA, which are deemed essential for sustainable development and addressing immediate national issues. The priority legislation includes significant amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, Agrarian Reform Law, and the Foreign Investors' Long-Term Lease Act.
The House Speaker also expressed enthusiasm about working with Senate President Francis Escudero to ensure effective and cohesive legislative efforts. The collaboration is aimed at ensuring that the legislative agenda not only advances swiftly through the legislature but also effectively meets the pressing needs of the Filipino people.