MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday said there are several ways to address deficiencies in the respective budgets of various government agencies for 2025.
This, after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier said the government is looking for ways to augment the 2025 national budget which was “suboptimal” following the budget cuts.
“This is to clarify matters pertaining to the instruction of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. to various National Government Agencies (NGAs) to ensure sufficient funding of legacy projects and programs, which were affected by congress-introduced changes or adjustments in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” the DBM said in a statement.
“Pursuant to the directive of the President, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is committed to remedy the funding deficiencies of various Departments for FY 2025, through appropriate measures,” it added.
The DBM said the funding deficiencies may be addressed by modifying the allotment, using savings to augment deficient items, or using the Contingent Fund or Unprogrammed Appropriations.
However, these are still subject to the conditions and requirements prescribed in the applicable Special and General Provisions under the General Appropriations Act, the DBM said.
The DBM said available allotments within an agency’s budget can be declared as savings, as defined in Section 77 of the General Provisions of the 2025 GAA, but the utilization of funds would be subject to the rules on augmentation provided in Section 78.
It said the Contingent Fund may also be tapped to cover the funding requirements of new or urgent activities or projects of NGAs, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local government units that must be implemented or paid during the year, subject to the approval of the President.
The DBM said infrastructure programs and social programs under SAGIP may be covered by Unprogrammed Appropriations, subject to conditions, including the availability of excess revenue, which must be certified by the Bureau of the Treasury.
“To recall, earlier this month, the President instructed agencies to review, rationalize, and identify which programs, activities, and projects are within their priorities and ready for implementation, and those otherwise, which should be revisited and identified as possible savings so that they can be reprogrammed or reprioritized,” it said.
“We are one with the President in addressing the validated funding deficiencies. Nevertheless, it is understood that the process and procedures to be undertaken shall strictly adhere to budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations,” the DBM added.
Marcos, in a full Cabinet meeting on January 7, ordered the review of the administration’s programs contained in the 2025 National Expenditure Program but were defunded by Congress, particularly those critical to the socioeconomic program.
He is currently holding a series of meetings with different government agencies to discuss the results of their budget review and find solutions to budget cuts. (PNA)