OPINION
Ed Javier
PBBM's 2025 Budget - A New Year Of Hope And Accountability
Photo credit: PCO
As we usher in the year 2025, I would like to take this moment to thank the Lord Almighty for all the blessings that 2024 brought to us.
With gratitude for the challenges and triumphs that have shaped us, we look forward to a new year filled with hope, faith, and renewed purpose.
A promising start to this year was marked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of the 2025 national budget into law.
This pivotal act signals the government's commitment to addressing the nation's most pressing needs, with a focus on critical investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social services.
These allocations are vital for the continued progress and welfare of the Filipino people.
We should thank President Marcos for his careful review of the budget.
His determination to prioritize the nation's needs, while vetoing politically-motivated insertions, sends a strong message that he will not tolerate the misuse of taxpayer money.
This decision is a reminder of his commitment to ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of the people, and not for personal gain.
We wish the President good luck in navigating the challenges ahead and leading our nation toward a prosperous future.
However, ensuring that this P6.326 trillion budget reaches its intended recipients requires more than just executive action. As citizens, we have a critical role to play in overseeing how these funds are used.
For example, many Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations), have been used by politicians for personal gain.
What better proof of this than seeing politicians present during payouts, as if the funds were their personal contribution?
These programs, designed to assist the poor and marginalized, must not be hijacked for political gain.
DSWD must ensure that these resources truly reach the marginalized and underserved communities they are intended for.
Similarly, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as the implementing agency of TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), must ensure that the program serves only those who truly need it and that it is not manipulated by politicians seeking to gain favor with their constituents.
Programs like TUPAD must be used for their intended purpose, helping disadvantaged and displaced workers, rather than being turned into a political tool.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has overseen billions of pesos in flood control projects in recent years, yet many areas, particularly those in flood-prone regions, continue to face devastating floods.
Despite these massive investments, why do we still see neighborhoods submerged after every heavy rain?
We must ask: are these projects truly being implemented effectively, or are they subject to inefficiencies and mismanagement?
The public deserves transparency on how these funds are being spent and whether they are truly protecting communities or merely enriching businessmen and their political patrons.
As citizens, we must demand accountability from our leaders and public agencies.
We have a critical role in monitoring the implementation of public works and social programs, especially those managed by the DPWH, DSWD, and DOLE.
Our vigilance ensures that these resources truly reach the marginalized and underserved communities they are meant to serve.
We can track spending, engage with local leaders, and hold officials accountable for every peso allocated.
The actions of the President set a clear direction for us, but it is up to us, the people, to continue the work.
In a democratic society, no one should be passive when it comes to the management of public resources.
We must hold ourselves accountable to one another and actively participate in making sure that every centavo spent serves the greater good of the nation.
As we move into 2025, let us not only celebrate the hope that a new year brings but also take up the mantle of responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the budget and our democracy.
May this year be a reminder that we all play a role in shaping a just, compassionate, and prosperous future for every Filipino.
Happy New Year to all!
With gratitude for the challenges and triumphs that have shaped us, we look forward to a new year filled with hope, faith, and renewed purpose.
A promising start to this year was marked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of the 2025 national budget into law.
This pivotal act signals the government's commitment to addressing the nation's most pressing needs, with a focus on critical investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social services.
These allocations are vital for the continued progress and welfare of the Filipino people.
We should thank President Marcos for his careful review of the budget.
His determination to prioritize the nation's needs, while vetoing politically-motivated insertions, sends a strong message that he will not tolerate the misuse of taxpayer money.
This decision is a reminder of his commitment to ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of the people, and not for personal gain.
We wish the President good luck in navigating the challenges ahead and leading our nation toward a prosperous future.
However, ensuring that this P6.326 trillion budget reaches its intended recipients requires more than just executive action. As citizens, we have a critical role to play in overseeing how these funds are used.
For example, many Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations), have been used by politicians for personal gain.
What better proof of this than seeing politicians present during payouts, as if the funds were their personal contribution?
These programs, designed to assist the poor and marginalized, must not be hijacked for political gain.
DSWD must ensure that these resources truly reach the marginalized and underserved communities they are intended for.
Similarly, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as the implementing agency of TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), must ensure that the program serves only those who truly need it and that it is not manipulated by politicians seeking to gain favor with their constituents.
Programs like TUPAD must be used for their intended purpose, helping disadvantaged and displaced workers, rather than being turned into a political tool.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has overseen billions of pesos in flood control projects in recent years, yet many areas, particularly those in flood-prone regions, continue to face devastating floods.
Despite these massive investments, why do we still see neighborhoods submerged after every heavy rain?
We must ask: are these projects truly being implemented effectively, or are they subject to inefficiencies and mismanagement?
The public deserves transparency on how these funds are being spent and whether they are truly protecting communities or merely enriching businessmen and their political patrons.
As citizens, we must demand accountability from our leaders and public agencies.
We have a critical role in monitoring the implementation of public works and social programs, especially those managed by the DPWH, DSWD, and DOLE.
Our vigilance ensures that these resources truly reach the marginalized and underserved communities they are meant to serve.
We can track spending, engage with local leaders, and hold officials accountable for every peso allocated.
The actions of the President set a clear direction for us, but it is up to us, the people, to continue the work.
In a democratic society, no one should be passive when it comes to the management of public resources.
We must hold ourselves accountable to one another and actively participate in making sure that every centavo spent serves the greater good of the nation.
As we move into 2025, let us not only celebrate the hope that a new year brings but also take up the mantle of responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the budget and our democracy.
May this year be a reminder that we all play a role in shaping a just, compassionate, and prosperous future for every Filipino.
Happy New Year to all!
Jan 1, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
