OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Malacañang Complex
J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel,
1005 Manila City
Email: mro@op.gov.ph
pace@op.gov.ph
We, the alumni of the University of the Philippines stand united in strong opposition to the alarming budget cuts in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which threaten the very foundation of our nation’s education, health, and public welfare systems.
The proposed reductions include:
A ₱2 billion cut from the University of the Philippines (UP), the premier national university tasked with fostering innovation, critical thought, and leadership for national development.
A ₱12 billion cut from the Department of Education (DepEd), jeopardizing the quality of basic education for millions of Filipino students.
The complete removal of funding for PhilHealth, endangering access to essential healthcare for countless citizens, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
These budget cuts represent not just a financial constraint but a disservice to the future of our nation. We firmly believe that the path to a prosperous Philippines lies in prioritizing investment in education, health, and other social services.
Our Stand:
Education as the backbone of national progress:
Education is the cornerstone of national development. Cutting the budgets of UP and DepEd undermines the government’s constitutional mandate to provide quality education to every Filipino. With limited resources, public universities, state colleges, and basic education institutions face operational challenges, larger class sizes, and the inability to meet the demands
of modern education.
Health as a basic right:
The defunding of PhilHealth disregards the government’s duty to uphold the people’s right to health. In a time of rising healthcare costs and persistent public health challenges, removing this crucial safety net will force millions into financial ruin or deprive them of lifesaving care.
Social services as a moral obligation:
The government’s role is to ensure equitable access to services that uplift the dignity and
well-being of every Filipino. Reducing education and health budgets reflects misplaced priorities that compromise national welfare and economic stability.
Our call to action:
Restore and increase the UP budget:
We urge Congress to reinstate the ₱2 billion cut from UP’s budget and provide additional funding to support research, academic programs, and facilities critical to addressing the nation’s pressing needs.
Prioritize DepEd funding:
The government must ensure sufficient funding for DepEd to address the shortages in classrooms, teachers, and educational materials, as well as to implement meaningful reforms that improve the quality of education.
Fund PhilHealth:
We demand the restoration of PhilHealth’s budget to safeguard affordable healthcare for all Filipinos and ensure the sustainability of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
Engage stakeholders:
We call on policymakers to engage with educational institutions, health advocates, and civil society in crafting budgets that reflect the true needs of the Filipino people.
Our commitment:
The UP Alumni stands ready to mobilize our alumni network to advocate for these critical issues.
We will engage in dialogues with government officials, raise public awareness, and support
initiatives aimed at restoring the budget for education and healthcare.
We call on all Filipinos to join us in this cause. A nation that neglects its education and health is a nation that sacrifices its future. Let us work together to ensure that the 2025 GAA reflects the true aspirations of the Filipino people — for progress, equity, and a better tomorrow.
Signed,
Alumni of the University of the Philippines
December 22, 2024