Senate receives P6.352T 2025 GAB from House, marks 10.1% budget increase

Despite canceled work due to severe tropical storm Kristine, the Senate received the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The GAB proposes a national budget for next year amounting to P6.352 trillion, marking a 10.1 percent increase from the current year's budget.

Senate President Chiz Escudero expects the approval of the 2025 GAB by early December and noted that committee deliberations are on track based on discussions with Senator Grace Poe.

Escudero had previously asked for the submission of the GAB earlier than the scheduled October 25 deadline, aiming to sponsor their version on November 5 or 6.

The bill containing the national budget should be approved and signed by the President before the end of every fiscal year to avoid a reenacted budget for the following year.

Under the proposed budget, the Department of Budget and Management has slashed allocations for agriculture, health, and social welfare sectors by 4.7%, 7.6%, and 3.4% respectively.