Poe optimistic on 2025 budget despite cuts

Senator Grace Poe has expressed optimism about the recently ratified 2025 national budget, which aims to address the country's pressing needs despite limited resources.

Poe noted that allocating funds within constraints requires difficult decisions but emphasized that education remains a top priority with increased funding for students and teachers.

Despite criticisms over budget cuts to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Poe highlighted that DepEd’s overall 2025 budget is higher than in 2024, prioritizing human capital needs like teaching supplies allowance which has increased from P4.825 billion to P9.948 billion.

Poe acknowledged the reduction in the computerization program but cited a COA report indicating only 50% of the 2023 Computerization Program budget was utilized due to systemic issues such as procurement delays, stressing the need for addressing these inefficiencies before additional funding is allocated.

She assured critics that education remains a priority while respecting President Marcos' authority over the budget and emphasizing collaboration in achieving national goals.