Kinks in the 2025 national budget became a major challenge for the Palace last week as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the economic team and other Cabinet members came up with ways to augment essential items that were removed or consigned to the unprogrammed appropriations.

Mr. Marcos said he is focused on restoring the budget allocations proposed in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) that were reduced by Congress in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Aside from the budget remedies, the following were the activities of the President outlined through a collaboration between Daily Tribune and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office.

13 January

Trilateral call deepens ties

The Philippines, US, and Japan vowed to continue working together to enhance and deepen their trilateral ties, particularly in the areas of economic, maritime, and technology cooperation.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed confidence about working together to sustain the gains thus far attained by the three nations during a phone conference with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.

Marcos noted that since the adoption of the Trilateral Joint Vision Statement in April 2024, substantial progress has been made in implementing bilateral and trilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest among the three countries.

Biden echoed the President’s sentiments, stating that the Philippines, the US and Japan have made historic progress since the Trilateral Summit, especially in maritime security, economic security and technology cooperation.

Prime Minister Ishiba highlighted the importance of the deepening trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, the US and Japan, also noting the progress made since the Trilateral Summit.

Swift aid to farmers ordered

President Marcos directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the swift delivery of support to farmers to close any gaps during the ongoing planting season.

In a meeting in Malacañang, the President also ordered the Department of Budget and Management to guarantee budgetary support for the agriculture sector.

In its presentation, the DA emphasized that with sufficient assistance for fertilizer, quality seeds and technologies, farmers can achieve higher yields and maximize productivity across various ecosystems.

15 January

Positive ties sustained

The President expressed optimism the country would maintain its strong and dynamic relationship with the US after its leadership change, in a phone call with US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Marcos highlighted the significant progress in the bilateral relationship with its chief ally, particularly in the areas of economics, diplomacy, and defense and security.

Harris, in turn, emphasized the bipartisan support in the US Congress and Washington for strengthening ties with the Philippines, especially in terms of security, economic prosperity and people-to-people connections.

DBM must reinstate DoT budget

During a meeting in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos directed the DBM to reinstate the P400-million branding budget for the DoT to sustain its momentum.

The funds will be come from the President’s contingency fund.

The President said the Philippines is off to a strong start in boosting its international image, citing recent accomplishments by Filipino talents, including Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and The Voice US champ Sofronio Vasquez.

The DoT echoed the President’s sentiments and expressed full support for the administration’s initiatives to promote Philippine tourism.

Funds adequate for irrigation

The Chief Executive committed to providing adequate funds to the National Irrigation Administration in support of the country’s irrigation programs.

He emphasized the importance of constructing large dams not only for irrigation but for other purposes.

The President also believes the P22.882-billion NIA fund in the GAA will have savings.

Under NIA’s 2025 programs, activities, and projects, the agency allocated P20.84 billion for the Pump Irrigation Sub-Program and P7.88 billion for Stage 2 of the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sub-Abra Irrigation Project.

Warm welcome for Japan FM

The President welcomed Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, who called for strengthened cooperation between the Philippines and Japan during his courtesy call.

Takeshi highlighted both nations’ shared core values and principles, particularly at a time when there are divisions and complexities in the international community. He emphasized that enhancing cooperation between the two nations is critical for promoting a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

16 January

Open Partnership regional meet slated

Leaders from the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) met for the media launch of the upcoming Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in February.

The DBM led the delegates in a press briefing, highlighting the aspects of the PH-OGP as a key platform to promote open governance and underscoring its integration in government priorities under the administration of President Marcos.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the group stands united in its commitment to foster a government that is not only transparent but also accountable and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the citizens.

It will be the first time since the OGP’s founding in 2011 that the Philippines will host the two-day regional meeting starting 5 February.

Restore funds for foreign-assisted projects

The President is intent on recovering funds for foreign-assisted projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The Presidential Communications Office said the President met with DPWH officials in Malacañang to discuss the result of the agency’s budget review under the 2025 General Appropriations Act vis-à-vis the National Expenditure Program.

He emphasized that the focus should be on projects that would make a difference in people’s lives.

Augment education funding

President Marcos pushed for substantial allocations for key programs of the Department of Education (DepEd) after the agency said the reduction in its budget for 2025 would worsen the problem of teacher shortage.

Mr. Marcos took notice of the budget gaps of various projects of DepEd for this year despite education being one of his top priorities.

Congress only approved P737 billion for DepEd in 2025. The allocations reduced by Congress were for the creation of new school personnel positions, the Basic Education Facilities Fund, and the implementation of the DepEd Computerization Program.

17 January

PBBM turns over 3-K ‘Yolanda’ housing units

President Marcos turned over 3,517 housing units in areas in Eastern Visayas that were hit by typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013 as part of the administration’s recovery program for calamity victims.

He said 1,963 units had been turned over to the beneficiaries so far. He assured the government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring a more prepared and safer Philippines.

In addition, the Chief Executive emphasized that government agencies, such as the National Housing Authority, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, and the local government will ensure that the housing units are reliable and sustainable.

Food emergency to curb high prices

President Marcos said a declaration of a food security emergency is needed for the market to work properly amid the rising price of rice.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is set to declare a food security emergency before the end of January to address the spiking grain retail prices.

Rice prices remain high despite declining global rice costs and the tariff reduction ordered by President Marcos.

The declaration of a food security emergency would allow the National Food Authority to sell rice stocks to local government units and other government agencies at a lower price, free up space in NFA warehouses, and help local farmers through palay procurement for the upcoming harvest season.

Impeach presents ‘problematic consequences’

In an interview in Leyte, President Marcos agreed with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile that blocking Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment could present “problematic consequences” for the country, following the position of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

But the President thinks that Congress will not have a choice once the impeachment complaints are filed.

Correct suboptimal budget

The President said the administration is exploring alternative measures to secure adequate funding for key government projects amid what he described as a “suboptimal” 2025 national budget.

The President said his administration is looking for savings to fund those items removed from the National Expenditure Program.

Mr. Marcos underscored the administration’s focus on securing funding for critical sectors, including education, healthcare, housing and other priority programs.