Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday said the Office of the Vice President has not included confidential and intelligence funds in its proposed budget.

“The confidential and intelligence funds are not included in their (OVP) proposal,” she said in Filipino during an interview.

She also discussed the 2026 National Expenditure Program, saying the agency has allocated P249 billion for the unprogrammed or standby fund.

Additionally, she rejected the Congress-introduced changes and amendments.

“That's why it's large in the GAA, because Congress included some items — they added funds to the DOJ and the DILG. They were the ones who added those, which is why we didn’t include them in the NEP,” Pangandaman said.

Meanwhile, the Budget chief said management of flood control project funds will be entrusted to the Department of Finance.

Regarding the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program receiving zero allocation in the proposed 2026 budget, Pangandaman said it will be up to Congress to decide whether to allocate funds for it, clarifying it is not among DBM’s priority programs.

“So, it's up to Congress if they want to add it again, but for us, it's not part of the priority programs,” she stated.

The proposed 2026 budget is now set to be deliberated by the House of Representatives.