By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(August 2, 2024) – The Department of Finance (DOF) was urged to enhance the fiscal management of the government, citing the possible adverse impacts of the P6.325 trillion national budget for next year.
Former DOF undersecretary Cielo Magno said Congress was struggling to finance the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) after inflating it. Last Monday, the Department of Budget and Management turned over the NEP to Congress for further scrutiny.
“Its (DOF) primary responsibility is to make sure that we have good fiscal management and we avoid bloating the budget so that we can avoid having this problem,” said Magno, who’s also an economist, told One News’ Storycon.
The 2025 NEP is 10.1% higher than this year’s allocation of P5.768 trillion.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, it will support the key pillars of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.
The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of National Defense will get the biggest shares of the national budget.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who’s also a cousin of Marcos, assured that they will diligently deliberate the 2025 NEP starting next week.
“Titiyakin namin na bawat pisong buwis ay maibabalik din sa mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at proyekto,” said Romualdez.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, meanwhile, vowed to scrutinize the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of some government agencies.
“Kasi ang pangunahing may trabaho kaugnay niyan ay law enforcement agencies, pero liwanagin ko rin na ‘di ganoon kalibre ‘yung pera ng CIF,” said Escudero.
CIF decreased by 16% in the 2025 NEP after the DBM limited the allocation to government agencies that need them the most.
ALSO READ: Confidential, intelligence funds in 2025 national budget drop by 16%, says DBM
Magno also sought better transparency on national budget proceedings, urging Romualdez and Escudero to make clear the rules of engagement during bicameral discussions.
“Ngayong budget season na naman, sana dapat ay naka-livestream ang bicam. May malinaw na transcript para naririnig natin ang mga argument ng mga congressman at senador at nakikita kung anong ginagawa nila sa pera ng bayan,” said Magno.
(PM)
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