The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday turned over the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress, which lays out the government’s spending plan for 2025 amounting to PHP6.352 trillion.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman officially handed the NEP to House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a ceremony at the House of Representatives.

With the turnover, deliberations for the proposed 2025 national budget can now start at the lower chamber.

The proposed budget for next year is equivalent to 22 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and reflects a 10.1 percent increase from the PHP5.768 trillion budget in 2024.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his third State of the Nation Address last week, said the 2025 budget was crafted with the highest levels of care, diligence, and meticulous attention to detail.

“We expect all agencies to ensure that every centavo allocated will be judiciously spent on our urgent priorities and socially impactful programs,” Marcos said.

Education remains the top priority with an allocation of PHP977.6 billion, followed by Public Works which is set to receive a substantial allocation of PHP900 billion.

Health is earmarked with PHP297.6 billion to continue implementing the Universal Health Care Act and ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services, while the Interior and Local Government will be given PHP278.4 billion.

To uphold national security, modernize defense capabilities and ensure the safety and sovereignty of the nation, PHP256.1 billion is designated for the Defense sector.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare is allocated with PHP230.1 billion; Agriculture with PHP211.3 billion; Transportation with PHP180.9 billion; Judiciary with PHPP63.6 billion; and Department of Justice with PHP40.6 billion. (PNA)