DBM downplays reports on delayed fund releases
MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today said no funds were being withheld including the P160.0 billion For-Later-Release (FLR) appropriations for infrastructure and social amelioration programs pinpointed by some members of the Philippine Senate.
In a statement, the DBM said of the P158.36 billion FLR appropriations for infrastructure programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways, P144.81 billion have already been recommended by the DBM to the President for approval.
The amount forms part of the bulk of the 261.05 billion unreleased appropriations under the P4.506 trillion Fiscal Year 2021 National Budget as of June 30,2021.
The DBM claimed the P3.83 trillion or at least 85.1 percent of the FY 2021 National Budget has been released by the DBM from January to June 2021. The releases to line agencies reached P2.38 trillion or equivalent to 90.1 percent, and is a marked improvement from last year’s 79.8 percent year-on-year.
“The DBM has fully released the respective allotments of most departments, including the P176.66 billion FLR appropriations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the implementation of different social amelioration programs,” the DBM statement revealed.”
It was learned expenditure items classified as FLRs require the submission of special budget request and other supporting documentary requirements from the agencies concerned in accordance with the National Budget Circular No.583.
The documents will then be evaluated by the DBM based on existing budgeting rules and regulations, and subsequently endorsed to the Office of the President for approval. The corresponding Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation shall be issued immediately upon the approval of the President.
The DBM has remained committed to ensuring that funds are readily available to support the implementation of various COVID-19 response programs to make all sectors of the economy stronger and more agile, the DBM statement concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)
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