By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s travel allowance in the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) was reduced by 8% compared to his travel budget this year, according to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
In a Palace press briefing Thursday, Pangandaman said the Office of the President (OP) proposed P1.054 billion in travel funds for next year compared to its P1.148 billion budget in 2024.
“Siguro, kung makikita po natin dito sa proposal nila siguro may mga nabawasan po silang travel—both local and foreign,” she said.
Despite the lower travel budget of the OP, Pangandaman assured that the government will “continue to go out” and “market the Philippines as an investment destination.”
“Samantalang, iyong iba po may mga pinirmahan na po na mga memorandum of understanding and agreement ang ating Presidente, kailangan pa rin po mayroon din pa pong follow-ups itong mga ito para to ensure na makarating nga itong mga investments na nakalap natin noong mga nakaraang taon,” the Budget chief added.
Based on the 2025 NEP, the proposed total budget for the OP was P10.446 billion, including P4.5 billion in Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF)—still lower than the P10.645 billion allocation this year.
Meanwhile, Pangandaman said the overall budget proposed for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) increased by 8% at P2.037 billion.
The DBM Secretary noted that Vice President Sara Duterte did not request for a CIF for next year.
“Sa CIF po, wala pong CIF ang Office of the Vice President. I think, hindi rin po siya nag-request ng CIF,” Pangandaman said.
The DBM on Monday submitted to Congress the proposed P6.352 trillion NEP for 2025. – iro
