During the 2025 Budget Execution Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin encouraged all government employees to prioritize serving the Filipino people despite political distractions. Bersamin emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers and promoting true collaboration among different government levels to achieve the Marcos administration’s goals for prosperity.
Bersamin highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive government approach, urging public servants to serve with integrity, dedication, and compassion. He stressed the importance of moving forward without being swayed by external noise, focusing instead on improving the lives of Filipinos to the best of their abilities.
The Executive Secretary also underscored the values of transparency, accountability, and public engagement as crucial for advancing open governance. He pointed out that digital transformation, in line with the government’s development goals, would help make the country resilient to future challenges.
Bersamin called on government workers to uphold the highest standards of good governance and to renew their commitment to building the envisioned ‘New Philippines’ as the new year begins. The forum, organized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), aimed to facilitate discussions on the execution of the 2025 budget.
On January 20, the DBM released National Budget Circular 595, which provides the framework for implementing the national budget as per Republic Act 12116, the 2025 General Appropriations Act, along with continuing and automatic appropriations from the 2024 GAA under RA 11975. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed RA 12116 on December 30, 2024, setting the national budget at PHP6.326 trillion for 2025.
Bersamin described the 2025 national budget as more than just figures, representing the government’s unified vision for a prosperous Philippines.