The Department of Finance (DOF) faces the daunting task of generating P12.72 billion in revenue every single day to support the Marcos administration’s ambitious P6.326 trillion national budget for 2025.

In a statement on Monday, Dec. 30, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto acknowledged the huge responsibility of the DOF in generating revenue to support the budget.

Of the total budget, P4.64 trillion will be funded by government revenues, requiring the DOF to raise P12.72 billion daily.

“Kaya naman, sa laki po ng aming responsibilidad, bente kwatro oras din magtatrabaho ang DOF para matugunan ang ating pangangailangan. At titiyakin namin na ang bawat sentimo ay mapupunta sa tamang proyekto at programa para sa bayan,” Recto said.

[That's why, with the size of our responsibility, the DOF will also work 24 hours to meet our needs. And we will make sure that every cent goes to the right project and program for the people]

Recto, however, expressed confidence in the DOF's ability to meet this challenge, given the country's strong fiscal performance in recent years.

Recto said the DOF would build on the country's strong fiscal performance in 2024.

Total revenue collection for 2024 is projected to reach P4.42 trillion, surpassing the target of P4.27 trillion.

He said this robust revenue performance is attributed to the combined efforts of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of the Treasury, and other revenue-generating agencies.

On Monday, President Marcos signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), representing a 9.7 percent increase from the previous year.

Recto said that this budget is the government's primary tool to drive economic growth and improve the lives of Filipinos.

Themed "Agenda for Prosperity: Fulfilling the Needs and Aspirations of the Filipino People," the budget prioritizes investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture.

President Marcos, Jr. highlighted the budget's focus on translating economic gains into tangible benefits for all citizens.

Meanwhile, Recto stressed the government's commitment to fiscal responsibility, adhering to its Medium-Term Fiscal Program to reduce the deficit and debt gradually while stimulating job creation, increasing incomes, and alleviating poverty.

The 2025 budget also prioritized sustainable and green investments aligned with the National Climate Change Action Plan.

To ensure efficient allocation of resources, the President vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that did not align with the government's priorities.

Recto reassured the public that the DOF is committed to effectively mobilizing resources and ensuring that every centavo of the budget is utilized for the benefit of the Filipino people.