President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of about P1.307 trillion in programmed appropriations to stimulate the Philippine economy, Malacañang said on Thursday.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the bulk of the released programmed appropriations would be used primarily for social services to ensure that spending for the final stretch of 2025 directly benefits the Filipino people.
“Our programmed spending for the fourth quarter will boost year-end economic growth and thus impact overall economic growth for the year," Pangandaman said.
Of the P1.306 trillion, about P2.74 billion will be used to augment the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, the DBM said in a separate statement, noting that the allotted budget would cover the Quick Response Fund replenishment and Emergency Cash Transfers, in anticipation of possible typhoons in the remainder of 2025.
The DBM said the Department of Social Welfare and Development will receive P9.52 billion for the distribution of conditional cash transfers to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; P7.03 billion for payouts for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program; P5.77 billion for indigent senior citizens’ social pension benefits; and P4.83 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program.
The Department of Agriculture will also get P7.33 billion for the implementation of the National Rice Program, and an additional P2.47 billion for the National Livestock Program.
The DBM said P2.29 billion would go to the National Food Authority (NFA) for the buffer stocking program and targeted rice distribution program to ensure the availability of rice, especially in case of unforeseen domestic and global headwinds.
The DBM also assured the public that education remains a priority to harness the youth’s potential, noting that about P203.82 billion would be released to the Department of Education.
The DBM also released P31.78 billion to state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the Commission on Higher Education, in support of the implementation of key higher education programs.
To ensure sustained employment, the DBM earmarked P4.89 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) continued implementation of livelihood and emergency employment programs, including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers Program, Government Internship Program, DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, and the Adjustment Measures Program.
The programs implemented by the DOLE aim to generate immediate employment, support income recovery, and enhance livelihood opportunities for vulnerable sectors.
The DBM said about P4.3 billion would be used to cover the operational expenses of hospitals run by the Department of Health in Metro Manila, and an additional P9.96 billion for regional hospitals.
Another P787.95 million has also been released for subsidies under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients, and P179 million for the Cancer Assistance Fund to ensure continued assistance and ease the burden of patients seeking medical treatment.
For our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), P528.09 million has been earmarked for the Department of Migrant Workers' programs, such as the OFW Hospital, the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailan Fund, and the National Reintegration Center for OFWS.
About P321 million of the P528.09 million will be allotted for the Emergency Repatriation Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Association, the DBM said.
The DBM said a total of P63.7 billion would be used to cover the year-end benefits of government employees, including teachers.
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