THE 2025 national budget, approved by Congress’ bicameral conference committee at an outrageous P6.352 trillion, is a blatant abuse of our hard-earned taxes. Instead of addressing the pressing needs of Filipinos, it funnels billions into pork barrel and confidential intelligence funds (CIF), which only serve to enrich politicians and perpetuate corruption.
Among the most egregious allocations is the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which received P26 billion in the 2024 budget. For 2025, this amount has been increased even further, with funds being channeled through politicians as part of their electioneering efforts. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has more than doubled its budget, increasing it from P16.3 billion to P33.7 billion. At the same time, President Marcos Jr. has become the biggest pork barrel spender, ballooning his own CIF allocation to unprecedented levels. This budget prioritizes the selfish ambitions of politicians over the urgent needs of ordinary Filipinos.
While politicians fill their pockets, vital sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, and labor are suffering drastic cuts. The Department of Education loses P11.5 billion, while the Department of Health’s budget is slashed by P25.8 billion. The Department of Agriculture faces a P20 billion cut, and the Department of Labor and Employment sees a reduction of P18.3 billion.
These cuts mean fewer resources for schools, hospitals, farms, and the programs that support our workers — at a time when the Filipino people are already struggling with rising costs and a lack of services. This budget deepens the crisis and puts politicians’ election plans above the welfare of the people.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay calls on every Filipino to rise against the misuse of our funds. We demand the complete abolition of the pork barrel system and confidential intelligence funds, which only benefit the ruling elite. Our taxes must be used for the people — funding better schools, healthcare, jobs, and support for our farmers and workers. We cannot allow public money to be used for election campaigns. Let’s unite to demand a budget that truly serves the people, not the greedy few. – ELMER FORRO, Secretary General, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay <bayanpanay2014@gmail.com>
