SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the timely enactment of the 2024 national budget will guarantee Filipinos of uninterrupted delivery of the essential programs and services.

In a statement, Romualdez lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s swift signing of the P5.768 trillion 2024 national budget, marking a crucial milestone in securing a vibrant and inclusive future for all Filipinos.

He emphasized that this will lay the foundation for economic growth and social upliftment.

“President Marcos, through his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to the Filipino people, has delivered a clear message of stability and progress,” Romualdez said.

“With the 2024 budget firmly in place, we can now proceed with confidence, knowing that crucial investments in vital areas like agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure will continue unabated,” he added.

He said the 2024 budget is focused on people’s needs, designed to sustain the country’s high-growth trajectory, and reflects President Marcos’ pledge: “Sama-sama, Babangon Tayo Muli.”

Priority expenditures in 2024 include ensuring food security, reducing transportation costs, reducing energy costs, addressing learning losses, improving health, strengthening social protection, improving bureaucratic efficiency, ensuring fiscal management, and maintaining expenditures for climate change, regional development, and peace and security.

Among others, Romualdez said the 2024 budget includes enhanced safety nets for vulnerable sectors, such as the nearly P500 billion social amelioration program or ‘ayuda’ for at least 12 million poor and low-income families or an estimated 48 million Filipinos.

He bared that P60 billion out of the nearly P500 billion fund is earmarked for a new program introduced by Congress called AKAP, for “Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita” that would provide direct, one-time cash assistance of P5,000 to the ‘near poor’ or families earning up to P23,000 a month targeting at least 12 million households as beneficiaries.

Romualdez added that existing programs to aid indigents, like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) under the Department of Labor and Employment also received significant funding under the 2024 budget.

Some P23 billion has been appropriated for AICS and P30 billion for TUPAD, he added.

Romualdez stressed that Congress likewise allocated funds to implement President Marcos’s “legacy projects” such as Legacy Food Security, Legacy Specialty Hospitals, and Legacy Housing for the poor.

For Legacy Food Security, Romualdez said Congress allocated P5 billion to support farmers with free irrigation, seeds, fertilizer, and other farm inputs, while another P5 billion is appropriated for the buying of their produce at market prices.

He also cited the P80 billion Congress allocated for the National Irrigation Authority to build more dams, water reservoirs and solar irrigation systems for improved and more resilient food production, particularly with the looming threat of severe El Nino this year.

As for Legacy Hospitals, the House leader reported that construction of new or expansion of existing facilities has started last year and are expected to be completed within three years.

For 2024, Congress appropriated P1 billion for UP-Philippine General Hospital, P1.5 billion for National Kidney and Transplant Institute, P1 billion for Philippine Cancer Center, P1 billion for Philippine Children’s Medical Center, P1 billion for Bicol Regional Medical Center, and P500 million for Batangas Regional Medical Center, according to Romualdez.

In addition, Romualdez said funds are available under the 2024 budget for the continued implementation of free treatment and consultation, free medicines, and quality medical services to indigent patients.

As for Legacy Housing, Romualdez said the President is set to inaugurate soon completed housing projects under the administration’s program for quality but affordable housing.

To protect the country’s interest in the West Philippine Sea, Romualdez said Congress set aside P1.5 billion for the development and expansion of the airport in Pag-asa Island.

An additional P800 million is allocated for the construction of a shelter port for fishermen and boats in Lawak, Palawan – the island closest to Ayungin Shoal, where a platoon of Filipino soldiers is manning a rusting Navy vessel intentionally grounded there in 1999 as a symbol of Philippine presence in that area, Romualdez said.

Romualdez expressed his gratitude to all members of Congress who worked tirelessly to pass the budget on time, showcasing the power of collaboration and bipartisanship in delivering meaningful change.

“This budget is a testament to the collective will of our lawmakers, who put the welfare of our nation above personal or political interests,” he stated.

Romualdez said the signing of the 2024 budget is not just a procedural accomplishment, but a significant step towards building a brighter future for all Filipinos.

“Under President Marcos’ leadership, and with the continued support of our people, we are confident that this budget will pave the way for a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines,” Romualdez said.