2019 obligation near fulfillment

The P3.66 trillion obligation program for budget year 2019 is almost depleted, data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) show.

“The DBM has released P3.62 trillion, or 98.9 percent of the P3.66 trillion fiscal year 2019 obligation program as of 30 November,” the agency said.

Allotment releases to the line departments amounted to P2.05 trillion. These include funds allocated for agencies in the Executive branch, Congress, the Judiciary and other constitutional offices, it added.

Special Purpose Funds (SPF), or budgetary allocations in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) intended for specific socio-economic purposes, totaled P369.04 billion. Allocation to local government units (LGU) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund were some of this fund’s recipients.

Appropriations which were programmed yearly or the so-called allotment releases for automatic appropriations inched upward to P1.07 trillion, which include the full 2019 program for the internal revenue of LGU, pension of ex-President/ex-President widows, special account in the general fund, net lending and interest payments.

Also, payments for retirement and life insurance requirements amounted to P51.59 billion, of which P4.43 billion went to the additional requirements for newly-created or -filled positions in various agencies, bringing total releases for such at 109.4 percent.

As of end-November 2019, continuing appropriations of the 2018 GAA for line departments and SPF releases totaled P26.15 billion.

Releases for unprogrammed appropriations, or standby appropriations on the other hand, stood P64.81 billion as of the same period.

“The immediate release of funds by the DBM will ensure that national government agencies are able to swiftly implement their programs and projects, such as the construction of new roads, schools, hospitals and the protection and promotion of the welfare of the poor and marginalized sectors, among others,” the agency said.