Romualdez vows funding for construction of soldiers' barracks
At A Glance
- House Speaker Martin Romualdez has committed to allocate funds for the construction of soldiers' barracks and the improvement of their existing housing facilities in the proposed 2025 national budget.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez during his visit at the at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu (Speaker’s Office)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has committed to allocate funds for the construction of soldiers’ barracks and the improvement of their existing housing facilities in the proposed 2025 national budget.
“We have to look after the welfare of our soldiers—our officers and men. We have to provide them with comfortable housing quarters,” he said.
Romualdez issued this message during his recent talk to the troops at the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Busbus Village, Jolo, Sulu.
He said the funds for such development could be included in next year’s budget once the House of Representatives deliberate on the proposed P6.352-trillion 2025 National Expenditures Program (NEP).
The House leader earlier committed the lower chamber’s strong support for the budgetary needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Based on the 2025 NEP, the defense sector has been earmarked P256.1 billion—an increase from this year’s P240.6 billion.
According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the funding aims to support key programs and priorities, such as the Land Defense Program, Air Forces Defense Program, and Naval Forces Defense Program.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Romualdez commended the officers and soldiers for their bravery in defending the country’s democracy and sovereignty.
“They are the most important component of our national defense program. They are in charge of protecting the country from threats—internal or external—to promote and maintain peace,” he said.
Romualdez emphasized that without peace, no economic development can take place.
“That is very evident in many parts of Mindanao, including Sulu, which have had to live with and resolve internal strife, and where economic progress is now happening,” he added.