By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday (28 Nov 2024) urged the bicameral conference committee (bicam) on the 2025 national budget to create a spending plan that addresses the daily needs of Filipinos.
“We’re all here because we’ve been entrusted with a responsibility. Let’s live up to that trust. Let’s have honest, productive discussions, and find common ground that puts the people first,” Speaker Romualdez said during the first meeting of the bicam tasked with reconciling the budget versions of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“We owe it to every Filipino who wakes up each day trying to make ends meet, hoping that their government has their back. Let’s give them a budget that says, ‘Yes, we hear you. Yes, we care. And yes, we’re doing something about it,’” he added.
The leader of the 300-plus-member House emphasized that the bicam should keep its budget reconciliation deliberations simple.
“Let’s keep things practical and straightforward. We don’t need to overcomplicate this. Let’s focus on what will make the biggest difference for the Filipino people—the programs that matter, the services they rely on, and the investments that will move this country forward. Those should be non-negotiable,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez reminded bicam members that the budget “has the power to either improve or disrupt the lives of millions of Filipinos.”
“This is no ordinary task. We’re not just crunching numbers; we’re crafting solutions to real problems faced by real people every single day,” he stressed.
The Speaker assured that the House’s version of the budget “reflects the priorities of the Filipino people.”
“We focused on what’s urgent: keeping food prices down, creating jobs, making healthcare accessible, improving education, and ensuring disaster preparedness,” he explained.
He expressed confidence that the senators shared these same goals.
“So now, it’s up to us in this bicam to bridge the gaps—not just between the House and the Senate, but more importantly, between what our people need and what we can deliver,” he said.
“This is where we prove that we’re capable of working together, not just as representatives of our respective chambers, but as leaders who genuinely care about the future of this country,” he added.
The House leader emphasized that although the two chambers may have different approaches, the outcome must be the same: a budget that works for everyone—from farmers in rural provinces to workers in urban centers, from small business owners to young students dreaming of a better life.
“I know we can get this done, and I know we can do it right. So let’s get to work,” he urged his colleagues.
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