The 2025 National Budget: A Ticking Time Bomb?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In July 2024, the President submitted the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress—a proposed budget of ₱6.352 trillion designed to fund essential services and programs for the Filipino people. By law, Congress can review, amend, or reduce the proposed budget, but they cannot increase it.

After months of deliberations, Congress finalized the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and sent it back to the President on December 11, 2024, for approval. The President now has 30 days to sign it, veto certain parts, or allow it to automatically become law.

But here’s the problem: The original budget proposal has been drastically altered—some say even "bastardized."

Cuts That Hurt the Filipino People

Congress slashed funding for critical sectors, and the consequences could be devastating:

PhilHealth – ₱74.43 billion was entirely removed. This means millions of Filipinos may struggle to afford healthcare and hospitalization.

Department of Education (DepEd) – Budget reduced by ₱68 billion, potentially compromising the quality of education.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – ₱12.71 billion was cut, limiting aid for vulnerable sectors during calamities.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) – Reduced by ₱91.07 billion, weakening Philippine Coast Guard operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Agriculture Sector – Budget slashed by ₱43.2 billion, jeopardizing food security and worsening farmers' and fisherfolk's poverty.

Pension and Gratuity Fund – Cut by ₱87.29 billion, risking the benefits of retiring government personnel, including AFP and PNP members.

Office of the Vice President (OVP) – Slashed by over ₱1.3 billion, raising suspicions of political maneuvering ahead of the next presidential election.

Where Did the Money Go?

While critical services faced massive cuts, other sectors saw shocking increases:

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Budget ballooned by ₱289 billion, reaching an unprecedented ₱1.1 trillion. Critics argue this increase primarily funds "pork barrel projects," notorious for corruption.

House of Representatives (HoR) – Their budget more than doubled, from ₱16.3 billion to ₱33.7 billion—essentially giving each congressman over ₱100 million more.

Office of the President (OP) – Budget increased by ₱5.4 billion, reaching ₱15.4 billion, raising eyebrows about potential political compromises.

AKAP Ayuda Scheme – An unplanned ₱26 billion was inserted into the budget. Critics claim this program, marketed as aid for the poor, might actually be a vote-buying scheme ahead of the 2025 elections.

Unprogrammed Appropriations: A Dangerous Loophole

Projects that were removed from the NEP didn’t disappear—they were diverted into Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA), a "standby fund" dependent on excess government revenue. The problem? The government already faces a ₱1.77 trillion deficit, making it nearly impossible to fund these "standby" projects.

The UA allocation tripled from ₱158.7 billion to ₱531.7 billion, making it unlikely these funds will ever see the light of day.

Pork Barrel Resurgence

With these changes, each congressman is now reportedly guaranteed ₱238 million in "pork barrel funds." Originally capped at ₱100 million, this increase suggests billions of pesos may be funneled into questionable projects.

What Can the President Do?

The President faces a difficult choice:

Sign the budget as is and risk public outrage, protests, and potential political instability.

Veto certain provisions, though this wouldn’t restore the critical budget cuts.

Pressure Congress to recall and amend the GAB, an unprecedented move in Philippine history but one that might be necessary.

The Road Ahead

If the President fails to address these glaring issues, the consequences could be severe:

Massive protests and political instability in 2025.

Worsening healthcare, education, and agricultural crises for ordinary citizens.

Increased corruption and misuse of public funds.

A Call to Action

The Filipino people deserve a budget that prioritizes healthcare, education, and national security—not one that serves political interests. The President and Congress must act swiftly to correct these injustices before the consequences become irreversible.

The future of the nation—and the trust of its people—hangs in the balance.

DepEd pushes for learning continuity amid disasters, updates class suspension guidelines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Education (DepEd) has updated measures to strengthen the preparedness of schools for disasters and other emergencies, emphasizing the importance of Learning and Service Continuity Plans (LSCPs) in minimizing the disruption of learning delivery.

 In DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024, the Department provided the revised guidelines on class and work suspensions in schools during typhoons and tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall and flood, earthquakes, power outages, extreme heat, low air quality, and other emergencies and hazards. The policy also outlines steps to safeguard students and teachers while ensuring learning continuity.

 The LSCP mandates field offices and schools to identify suitable Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) for education, ensuring that even during calamities, students have access to learning resources. These ADMs may include modular distance learning, online education, or blended approaches, depending on the specific needs and local conditions.

 The LSCP must also establish protocols for the safekeeping and storage of learning materials and devices to prevent damage during calamities. The plan must also detail procedures for distributing these materials, ensuring that learners can easily access them when needed.

 In addition, the LSCP includes guidelines for mobilizing teachers, school heads, and other staff during emergencies. Training programs and capacity building activities, such as Learning Action Cells, must be pivoted to prepare educators for the challenges of remote or alternative teaching methods.

 The LSCP also draws on assistance from local government units, parents, and community organizations to generate resources and ensure smooth implementation of continuity plans.

 Furthermore, schools are directed to integrate funding needs for disaster preparedness and recovery into their School Improvement Plans. This ensures that resources for ADMs, make- up classes, and other initiatives are readily available when emergencies occur.

 The LSCP must be crafted every three years alongside the School Improvement Plan, and will be reviewed and updated annually at the start of the school year.

 For more information, schools and stakeholders may refer to DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024, available at https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DO_s2024_022.pdf

 

Vice Ganda's MMFF Special Jury Citation: A Token Award in a Festival of Mediocrity?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), once envisioned as a prestigious platform to celebrate Filipino cinema, has long been plagued by criticisms of being more about commercial gains than artistic excellence. This year, the controversy revolves around Vice Ganda and the Special Jury Citation Award given to him—a recognition that feels more like a "pampalubag-loob" (consolation prize) after his film failed to win any significant awards.

Vice Ganda’s Movies: Box Office Hits, But Are They Truly Loved?

For years, Vice Ganda’s films have been marketed as family-friendly blockbusters, often raking in millions at the box office. However, public reception doesn’t necessarily equate to love or respect for the quality of these films. Many viewers flock to cinemas simply because there are limited choices during the MMFF season, which forces audiences to pick from a lineup of movies often rushed into production and lacking depth or originality.

The truth is, the average moviegoer is often drawn by star power and hype rather than critical acclaim or substantial storytelling. As a result, “nabubudol ang masa”—the masses are often misled into watching films with little to no significant value, mistaking noise and flashy marketing for genuine quality.

The MMFF: A Festival of Limited Choices and Mediocre Outputs

One of the core issues of the MMFF is the lack of variety and quality in its entries. With fewer production studios willing to join, the festival has become an annual cycle of the same stars and filmmakers dominating the spotlight. Instead of serving as a breeding ground for innovative and boundary-pushing cinema, the MMFF often feels like a showcase of recycled plots, formulaic scripts, and superficial entertainment.

Furthermore, being run by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)—a government agency primarily focused on traffic management and urban planning—the festival lacks the structural and cultural expertise needed to elevate it into something genuinely prestigious.

The Jury: Are They Qualified to Judge Cinematic Excellence?

The MMFF jury has also been a subject of much debate. Unlike other respected international film festivals, where juries are composed of seasoned filmmakers, critics, and industry experts, the MMFF’s panel often includes individuals whose qualifications in film evaluation are questionable at best. This raises valid concerns about whether the awards are truly based on merit or merely shaped by political ties, personal biases, and box office numbers.

The Special Jury Citation: A Consolation Prize in Disguise?

When Vice Ganda was given the Special Jury Citation Award, it didn’t feel like an honor—it felt like damage control. It was as if the jury, realizing the backlash they might face for snubbing one of the festival’s biggest commercial draws, hastily decided to create a token award.

While the citation aimed to recognize Vice Ganda’s contributions to cinema and entertainment, the way it was handed out felt hollow, almost like an afterthought to pacify his fans and prevent backlash.

Public Perception vs. True Artistic Value

The MMFF’s dependency on crowd-pleasers and formulaic movies has significantly eroded its credibility as a legitimate film festival. It has become more of a "holiday cinema tradition" than a serious platform for celebrating cinematic excellence. Audiences are fed a limited menu of mostly subpar films, leaving little room for truly groundbreaking or thought-provoking works.

Vice Ganda: A Star Beyond Awards

Despite the lack of meaningful accolades, Vice Ganda remains one of the Philippines' most influential entertainers. While his films may not always meet the standards of high-quality cinema, his ability to command attention and draw massive crowds is undeniable.

But even Vice’s undeniable star power cannot cover up the glaring cracks in the MMFF’s system.

MMFF Needs a Serious Overhaul

The Metro Manila Film Festival needs to reassess its priorities if it wants to regain respect and credibility. Some key changes could include:

Revamping the selection process to include a more diverse and higher-quality lineup of films.

Forming a jury of legitimate film experts with proven credibility and artistic insight.

Reducing commercial bias and focusing on storytelling, creativity, and cultural value.

Final Thoughts: The MMFF Dilemma

Vice Ganda’s Special Jury Citation Award is not just about one celebrity—it’s a reflection of the deeper issues plaguing the MMFF. It highlights the festival’s struggle to balance commercial appeal with artistic integrity, its reliance on a handful of big stars, and its inability to break free from the cycle of mediocrity.

As long as the MMFF remains under the oversight of an agency ill-equipped to handle cultural initiatives and continues to prioritize profits over purpose, it will never be regarded as a truly prestigious film festival.

And until audiences demand better, the cycle of “budol” movies and empty awards will continue—year after year.