SENATOR Pia Cayetano confirmed that she has secured crucial funding for education and health programs in the proposed 2025 national budget.

Cayetano emphasized that this is a reaffirmation of her commitment to future-oriented thinking and sustainability.

Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals, the Senator’s budget initiatives focus on preparing the nation for future challenges, ensuring that today’s investments will lead to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sen. Grace Poe highlighted several of Cayetano’s key initiatives during her sponsorship speech for the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget.

In particular, Cayetano advocated for additional funding to support the following:

– Increased teaching allowances in line with the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act (RA 11997).

– The Department of Education’s 8-Week Literacy and Numeracy Program to address learning gaps.

– Textbooks and other instructional materials.

– The electrification of schools to create a better learning environment.

For higher education, Cayetano pushed for substantial budget allocations for capacity development programs focused on futures thinking and strategic foresight in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

She also advocated for increased capacity for SUCs’ colleges of medicine, nursing, and allied health programs, along with funding for various infrastructure projects.

The University of the Philippines will also receive support for its sports facilities, dormitories, and new office equipment to improve its educational offerings.

Cayetano further pushed for increased funding for the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program to support the construction and equipping of over 700 rural health units, 300 local government and DOH hospitals, and other clinics nationwide.

She also advocated for additional funding to hire more vaccinators to address the shortage of healthcare workers and expand vaccination efforts in underserved areas.

Additionally, more resources were allocated for the Tutok Kainan Program, which will provide nutritional support to pregnant women and children.