The House of Representatives is confident in approving the 2025 national budget before the October recess, as promised by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, citing the early submission of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the vigorous efforts of its members, a press release from the House of Representatives said.
In a press conference on Tuesday, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. emphasized the importance of adhering to the timeline to ensure the Senate has ample time to review the measure.
According to the legislative calendar, Congress will be on recess from September 28 to November 3.
Dalipe said the efficient work being done by the chair and the different vice chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations, along with the active participation of the minority in the budget deliberations, “gives us confidence that we can meet this deadline.”
For his part, Gonzales noted that all House members are currently busy reviewing the budget.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)—submitted the P6.352-trillion NEP to Congress three weeks ahead of the constitutional mandate timeline. This prompt submission has been lauded by both Dalipe and Gonzales.
The budget briefing will start Monday next week with the Development Budget Coordinating Council (DBCC), which includes the DBM, the Department of Finance, and other agencies involved in budget creation.*
