MANILA, Philippines – The departments of Education (DepEd), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and National Defense (DND) are receiving the biggest allocations from the 2015 budget.

Next year’s budget amounting to P2.606 trillion is the highest budget approved for a year leading up to a national election. It is also 15.1% or P342 billion ($7.609 billion) higher than the 2014 budget.

The following amounts have been allocated to the following departments:

1. Education – P367.1 billion, up 18.6% from 2014
2. Public Works and Highways – P303.2 billion, up 37.9% from 2014
3. National Defense – P144.5 billion, up 17.3% from 2014
4. Interior and Local Government – P141.4 billion, up 3.8% from 2014
5. Health – P108.2 billion, up 19.2% from 2014
6. Social Welfare and Development – P103.9 billion, up 24.6% from 2014
7. Agriculture – P89.1 billion, up 11.4% from 2014
8. Transportation and Communications – P59.5 billion, up 21.7% from 2014
9. Environment and Natural Resources – P21.5 billion, down 10% from 2014
10. Science and Technology – P17.8 billion, up 35.9% from 2014

Compared to 2014, DPWH (37.9%), the department of science and technology (35.9%), and DSWD (24.6%) recorded the highest increases in budget allocations for 2015.

In a statement released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday, December 23, the agency said social services are “amply supported” under the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA) including:

• P62.3 billion for the 4.3 million families in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
• P53.9 billion for Basic Education Facilities to construct and repair 31,728 classrooms and 9,500 classrooms, develop 13,586 water and sanitation facilities, and to procure 1.3 million seats
• P37.1 billion for Philhealth premium subsidies to benefit 15.4 million poor and near-poor families 
• P11 billion for socialized housing for in-need families in danger zones

Economic services meanwhile were hailed as “a major driver in the President’s inclusive growth campaign.” The government will focus on the following:

• P185.8 billion for national roads and bridges
• P10.6 billion to improve the country’s railway systems 
• P89.1 billion for agricultural production projects

The statement also called attention to the climate change adaptation and mitigation projects of the administration, with P14 billion allocated to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, and P6.7 billion reserved for Quick Response Funds. Another P21.7 billion has been set aside for rehabilitation efforts post-Yolanda and other calamities.

The 2015 GAA was signed into law by Aquino also on Tuesday. – Rappler.com