DBM: Funding remedies to follow rules

Efforts to ensure enough funding for items affected by the amendments made by Congress would strictly follow rules and regulations, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured the public yesterday.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

President Marcos has described the enacted 2025 budget as "suboptimal" and has been holding discussions with various agencies to fund key programs and projects with reduced allocations.

He has directed agencies to determine which programs, activities and projects are within their priorities and are ready for implementation and which ones are not so they can be revisited and identified as possible savings that can be reprogrammed or reprioritized.

“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 said in a statement.

“Pursuant to the directive of the President, the Department of Budget and Management is committed to remedy the funding deficiencies of various departments for FY (fiscal year) 2025, through appropriate measures,” it added.

Among the measures being eyed are the modification in the allotment, the use of savings to augment deficient items or the use of the contingent fund or unprogrammed appropriations, subject to the conditions and requirements prescribed in the applicable special and general provisions under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).