The Department of Finance (DOF) on Monday lauded the signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2025.

According to DOF Chief Ralph Recto, the newly-inked national budget would benefit the country and its people.

“This (GAA for 2025) is the government’s most powerful tool to deliver the biggest growth and economic benefits for the Filipino people for next year.

Recto assured the budget was thoroughly scrutinized by DOF. “We have carefully studied the national budget line by line,” he added.

After thoroughly reviewing and scrutinizing the GAA for 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the national budget.

The budget, initially amounting to PhP6.352 trillion, was reduced to PhP6.326 trillion following the veto of PhP194 billion worth of line items deemed “inconsistent with the administration’s priority programs.”

Of the vetoed PhP194-billion, President Marcos directly vetoed PhP26.065 billion worth of projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and PhP168.240 billion allocated under “Unprogrammed Appropriations.”

President Marcos also pursued Conditional Implementation on specific items to ensure funds are utilized effectively, emphasizing that the government must not be merely a provisional solution, but address long-term issues. | PND