Marcos' proposed travel budget for 2025 8% lower at P1.05 billion
The Office of the President is seeking P1.058 billion in travel funds for 2025, a proposal eight percent lower than the P1.14 billion 2024 budget.
The Department of Budget and Management shared the budget proposal on Aug. 1, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to have fewer trips this year.
"It is 94 million or 8% decrease compared to 1.148 billion allocations in the 2024 General Appropriations Act," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said at a Malacañang press briefing.
"If we check their (OP) proposal, maybe they reduced their travels, both local and foreign."
Despite the fewer trips, Marcos still aims to "market the Philippines as an investment destination," the Pangandaman added.
She also raised the need to follow up on the memoranda of understanding and business agreements signed during the president's overseas trips to ensure they translate into actual investments.
Since assuming his post in 2022, Marcos has had 28 foreign trips, nine of which happened this 2024. He visited Brunei, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Singapore in the past seven months.
The frequency of the president's foreign trips and his travel expenses have been scrutinized by critics, but officials claim his overseas engagements attract investments. In June, the Department of Trade and Industry reported the trips have yielded $19 billion worth of pledged investments.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that these investments came from 65 projects, 12 of which are operating, 21 are registered with the Board of Investments and Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and 32 are processing registration with the DTI's investment promotion agencies.
The OP is also seeking P10.29 billion for confidential and intelligence funds, 16% lower than the 2024 budget. (with reports Alexis Romero)