3-8-2023 (MANILA) In the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) for next year, the national government has allocated a total of P9.2 billion in confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. The NEP, titled “Agenda for prosperity: Securing a future-proof and sustainable economy,” was submitted by Pangandaman to Speaker Martin Romualdez for chamber deliberations.
Out of the P9.2 billion, P4.3 billion is designated for confidential funds, while P4.9 billion is allocated for intelligence funds across all agencies. The Office of the President (OP) stands to receive P4.5 billion, with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) receiving P500 million, and the Department of National Defense being allocated P1.7 billion. Additionally, the Department of Education (DepEd) will receive P150 million for confidential funds, the same amount as this year.
Pangandaman emphasized that agencies receiving CIFs are still required to follow specific guidelines on how the funds are used. They must submit documents to the Commission on Audit (COA) that provide a breakdown of how the funds were spent.
The proposed budget for the Office of the President (OP) in the 2024 NEP is P10,646,573,000. This includes P1,222,391,000 for personnel services, P7,746,977,000 for maintenance and other operating expenses, and P1,676,205,000 for capital outlays. The maintenance and other operating expenses include confidential expenses of P2,250,000, extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses of P23,864, and intelligence expenses of P2,310,000. The figures remain the same as this year, except for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses, which amount to P23,525 in 2023.
The proposed budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is P2,374,019,000. This includes P181,325,000 for personnel services, P2,151,444 for maintenance and other operating expenses, and P41,250,000 for capital outlays.
As is customary, education receives the largest share of the budget pie, with P924.7 billion allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education, and state universities and colleges. The Department of Public Works and Highways follows with P822.2 billion, and the Department of Health with P306.1 billion. The Department of the Interior and Local Government is allocated P259.5 billion, the Department of National Defense receives P232.2 billion, and the Department of Transportation is given P214.3 billion. Other departments receiving significant allocations include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (P209.9 billion), the Department of Agriculture (P181.4 billion), the judiciary (P57.8 billion), and the Departments of Labor and Employment and Migrant Workers (P40.5 billion).
Out of the total P5.7-trillion budget, 37.9 percent, or P2.183 trillion, is allocated to social services, while economic services receive about 29.6 percent, or P1.7 trillion. Debt burden accounts for 12 percent, or P699.2 billion, and general public services receive 15.5 percent, or P893.3 billion. Defense capabilities are earmarked 4.9 percent, or P282.7 billion.
To address potential contingencies, the government has allocated P9 billion for the El Niño buffer stocking program, and an additional P1.4 trillion is reserved for the Build Better More infrastructure projects, which aim to enhance public transport.
The Marcos administration aims to strengthen the purchasing power of Filipinos, reduce the cost of transport and logistics, energy costs, and expand access to quality and affordable healthcare.
To ensure transparency and guard against lobbyists and insertions, the House of Representatives will conduct open proceedings for the NEP, with the media invited to cover them. The first budget hearing is scheduled for August 10, and deliberations are expected to conclude before the recess on September 30.
Speaker Martin Romualdez assures the public that every centavo of the national budget will be spent wisely to reignite the country’s economic growth.
DepEd is proposed to receive a budget of P756.8 billion, the second highest among national government agencies after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This proposed budget is higher than this year’s P676.1 billion but lower than the DPWH’s P822.2 billion. The majority of the DepEd’s budget will go to personnel services, with P552.8 billion allocated for this purpose. The DepEd, with nearly one million employees, is considered the largest bureaucracy in the government. The proposed budget also includes P141.6 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses and P48 billion for capital outlay.
In light of the lessons learned from the COVID-19pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) has been allocated a budget of P306.1 billion in the 2024 NEP. This budget aims to strengthen the healthcare system and enhance the country’s response to public health emergencies. The DOH budget includes funds for the improvement of healthcare facilities, procurement of medical equipment and supplies, expansion of health services, and support for health workforce development.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been allocated a budget of P822.2 billion, the highest among all government agencies. This budget aims to support infrastructure development and promote economic growth. The DPWH budget includes funds for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure projects across the country.
