The Department of Budget and Management assured the public over the weekend that the national government will transparently use the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024.

According to Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the DBM will continue to ensure "sound, efficient, and effective management and utilization of government resources to achieve our country's development goals."

In response to questions concerning fiscal prudence, Pangandaman said the 2024 national budget would support the nation's recovery from the pandemic.

She said the expenditures will be governed by the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework while continuing to prioritize responsible debt management.

The DBM official said there is a projected decrease in the deficit from 6.1 percent in 2023 to a target of slightly above 5 percent in 2024.

Pangandaman stressed that the decrease demonstrates the Marcos administration's commitment to fiscal consolidation over the long term.

"Our MTFF started with a very high deficit, exceeding 7 percent during the pandemic… We're making steady progress, aiming to bring it down to 3 percent by 2028," she said.

"Reducing the deficit translates to less borrowing, but responsible borrowing for productive purposes remains crucial," she added.

Pangandaman also echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to leave a legacy "free of burdensome debt for future generations."

"We are one with the President in ensuring that we honor the taxpayers who make the national budget possible. As the President said, 'Debt is not the kind of inheritance we want for those who will come after us. Good fiscal stewardship imposes upon us discipline not to be led into the temptation of bloating what we owe,'" she said.

Pangandaman clarified that the unprogrammed funds in the 2024 General Appropriations Act are "standby appropriations" distinct from the approved government fiscal program.

She said the unprogrammed funds for next year would help the government address unforeseen expenditures and prioritize essential programs and projects.

She noted that unprogrammed appropriations of the 2024 budget have built-in safeguards to prevent unconstitutional spending.