Budgeting seen improving with new framework — DBM

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expects better allocation of government funds once it completes next year the comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework on budget allocation for each agency.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Wednesday said the framework is being crafted with the National Economic and Development Authority.

“First, we will identify the big projects that we have from different agencies, and we will get professionals to help monitor each of the projects so that, at the end of the day, we will know if these projects have been beneficial to our people,” she said in a meeting of the Makati Business Club (MBC) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

These statements came amid the request of the MBC for more government transparency in budget-related decisions, especially on social services, education and healthcare.

Pared allotments

In a statement on Wednesday, the MBC shared that the Congress’ Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam) slashed over P200 billion from the programmed funds for the three sectors under the 2025 National Budget or General Appropriations Act.

Meanwhile, the committee set P531.67 billion for unprogrammed allocations, including infrastructure projects. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed some items, reducing such allocations to P363.24 billion.

However, Marcos agreed to retain P26 billion for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), a type of conditional cash transfer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to working Filipinos but whom it considers near-poor.

“These types of programs are vulnerable to politicization and raise concerns of pork barrel practices, especially in light of the upcoming elections,” MBC said.

Amid senators’ criticism of unclear guidelines on AKAP, the MBC is asking DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for a list of beneficiaries per barangay that will receive all conditional cash transfers.

MBC added the Bicam must disclose records of discussions during its budget meetings.

“We urge policymakers to safeguard the country’s long-term economic stability by ensuring that future budgets prioritize the short and long term needs of the Filipino people through the passage of the reforms proposed above,” MBC said.