The House of Representatives quickly terminated plenary deliberations on Friday for the proposed PHP2.281-billion budget of the Presidential Communications Office for 2025.
The motion to terminate discussions on PCO's proposed budget for 2025, which is 24.37 percent lower than the 2024 allocation of PHP3.016 billion, was met without opposition.
AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, the budget sponsor, underscored the importance of the PCO as the government's lead communications arm.
He further highlighted its critical role in conveying the administration’s messages to the public.
"The Presidential Communications Office is the lead communications arm of the government, the primary source of the administration's messages for an informed and empowered citizenry," Bongalon said.
He cited Executive Order (EO) 16, series of 2023, as the legal basis for the PCO's mandate to manage and coordinate the messaging of the Executive Branch and the Office of the President.
"By virtue of Executive Order No. 16, series of 2023, the agency is responsible for crafting, formulating, developing, enhancing, and coordinating the messaging system of the Executive Branch and the Office of the President," Bongalon said.
For 2025, the proposed appropriations for the PCO and its attached agencies and corporations amount to PHP2.281 billion, a PHP735.152 million decrease from the previous year's PHP3.016 billion.
Despite the budget cut, APEC Party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc expressed his full support for the PCO's role and suggested that the office deserves more funding.
"I fully agree with you on your sponsorship speech. As a matter of fact, I do believe that the Presidential Communications Office deserves more budget," Dagooc said.
As no members of the minority sought to question or challenge the proposed allocation, the plenary moved quickly to terminate the period of interpellation.
"With the importance of this office, there is no member of the minority who wishes to interpellate," Dagooc said. (PNA)
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