Farmers’ groups slam ‘political pork and discretionary funds’ in 2025 nat’l budget
Two farmer groups have criticized the provisions of the 2025 national budget, which they said prioritized “political pork and discretionary funds” while slashing the funds for agriculture and social services.
“The bicameral conference committee’s approved budget highlights misplaced priorities that exacerbate the suffering of poor sectors often deprived of basic social services,” said the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
In separate statements issued on Tuesday, the KMP and Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women denounced the budget cuts of the agriculture, education and health departments while questioning the approval of the P26-million budget for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap).
“Instead of raising the budget for social services, subsidies for agriculture and calamity response, billions were slashed,” said Amihan secretary general Cathy Estavillo. “It is clear that those who approved the budget are selfishly hoarding the funds in order to use them for vote-buying and corruption.”
Both KMP and Amihan pointed out that the Akap funds could be used for “political patronage,” particularly for vote-buying by those who are running in next year’s midterm elections.
“Legislators, particularly House members, are given the discretion to identify beneficiaries, raising concerns about vote-buying in the 2025 elections,” KMP said with regards to the program.
‘Hotbed of bureaucratic corruption, kickbacks’
The KMP also criticized the P1.114-trillion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which the group said was “notorious for being a hotbed of bureaucratic corruption and kickbacks.”
Meanwhile, the group noted the lack of budget for the subsidy of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., “effectively shifting the financial burden to members, including ordinary workers who can barely afford the rising costs of health care.”
“Enough of budgets that only serve the powerful few. The budget should be for the people, not for corruption,” KMP said, as both groups urged the public to hold the Marcos administration accountable for its spending priorities.
