President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on government agencies to review the administration’s proposed programs in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) that were cut by Congress. Speaking at the 18th Cabinet Meeting held at Malacañang Palace, Marcos emphasized the importance of reinstating key projects crucial to his administration’s socioeconomic agenda.
Focus on Restoring Vital Programs
Marcos urged all government departments to identify and prioritize the programs originally included in the NEP that were defunded. These programs, he stressed, are essential to the government’s goals of improving the lives of Filipinos.
“We have to reexamine the budget so that the programs we proposed in the NEP can somehow be restored,” Marcos said. He asked each department to provide a list of critical projects that were removed, saying, “How can we return these programs since they are vital to the socioeconomic plan?”
Specific Budget Cuts Highlighted
President Marcos pointed out several significant reductions made to the NEP:
- P12 billion was cut from the budget for road maintenance.
- P500 million was slashed from the funds allocated for routine bridge maintenance.
- P21 billion was removed from budgets for conducting feasibility studies.
He noted that such cuts could hamper progress in infrastructure and other critical areas. To ensure the government’s actual spending aligns with its goals, Marcos expressed willingness to personally work with each department to restore these programs in the final budget.
Vetoed Items and Strategic Goals
The President also explained his decision to veto over P194 billion worth of line items in the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025. These items, which included certain programs under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), were deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priorities.
In his veto message, Marcos reiterated that his government aims to focus on projects that directly address the needs of the Filipino people. He emphasized that the administration’s Medium-Term Fiscal Program is designed to support strategic growth while managing fiscal resources responsibly.
Looking Ahead
Marcos remains firm in his commitment to ensuring that the government’s spending reflects the NEP’s original intent. By restoring critical programs, the administration hopes to sustain its socioeconomic progress and deliver meaningful changes to communities across the country.
