State agencies' cash usage down in November

The government slightly increased its cash allocations, but spending by state agencies remained lower as of end-November.

- By LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON

Data from Department of Budget and Management DBM) showed that notices of cash allocation NCAs) inched up by just under one percent to reach P4.03 trillion as of the end of November.

Despite the increase, government agencies recorded a lower utilization rate of 93 percent, compared to 94 percent last year.

This means that of the total releases, some P274.58 billion was unused as of end-November.

NCAs are disbursement orders by the DBM to government banks servicing the release of funds to agencies. State agencies are expected to use the NCAs to pay for the cash requirements of their programs and projects.

A higher utilization ratio indicates greater capacity of agencies to implement their programs and projects.