House leader welcomes lower 2025 intel funds for social services

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe stated that the proposed 2025 national budget's reduced allocation for confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) will allow for increased funding for social services and aid programs.

The 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposes P10.285 billion for CIF, a decrease from the P12.378 billion allocated in 2024.

Dalipe welcomed the reduction, explaining that it provides legislators with more flexibility to allocate funds to other essential government programs like job creation.

This reallocation could potentially benefit programs such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Department of Labor and Employment's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).

Other agencies that will receive CIFs under the proposed 2025 budget include the Office of the President with P4.56 billion, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency with P500 million, and the National Security Council with P250 million.