THE House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, is fully committed to allocating ample budgetary resources to agencies safeguarding the West Philippine Sea amid ongoing Chinese provocations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe affirmed that the Romualdez-led chamber remains resolute in its support for modernization programs, especially those benefiting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as the budget season approaches.
Dalipe emphasized the House’s consistent support for modernization initiatives presented annually in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) by the executive department.
He highlighted the proactive approach taken by House members to enhance these programs during budget deliberations.
“The [House] has always been supportive to all these modernization programs whether it is for the AFP, for the PCG every time that the [NEP] is presented to us by the executive department,” Dalipe said.
“When the House members see that there is really a need to support these modernization programs…we not just support the programs but we even add to what we see during the budget deliberations that are lacking when they presented the NEP,” he continued.
“So kung titingnan po natin iyong output ng [House] when we passed the General Appropriations Bill, hindi lang po iyong mga original proposal na binigay ng AFP, DND (Department of National Defense) or PCG sa pagbili ng mga assets nila dinadagdagan pa po ng [House] iyon para makatulong po tayo sa PCG, makatulong tayo sa AFP, makatulong tayo sa ating PNP (Philippine National Police) and all of these agencies that are tasked to help us protect the Philippines, protect our sovereignty,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming budget season, Dalipe assured full support from the House for institutions like the PCG and Philippine Navy.
“I think we would really want to look into the 2025 budget proposal of [PCG] and the other agencies because we also would want you to help more especially in defending our territory, in defending our sovereignty and most especially in defending our fishermen who have fishing rights in this area,” Dalipe said.
“Rest assured na ito pong pagdating ng budget season ngayong August, September, ang House of Representative po, as always and as expected, will be in full support to the [PCG], to the Philippine Navy or ano pang agency that are tasked to help protect our sovereignty,” Dalipe said.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit the 2025 NEP to Congress soon after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
This would officially start the budget season in Congress when lawmakers will scrutinize, debate, and amend the proposed allocations to ensure the effective use of public funds for the country’s development.
