MANILA — Several House members have questioned the proposed reductions in funding for social services, education, health and agriculture under the government’s P7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027.
ACT Teachers party-list’s Cong. Antonio Tinio criticized the proposed spending priorities, pointing to higher allocations for defense, flood control and infrastructure while social services face reduced funding.
Tinio described the proposed budget as unfavorable to poorer Filipinos and accused the administration of returning to what he called old spending practices.
“Balik sa dating gawi,” he said.
Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon earlier said the proposed allocation for social services would be about 5% lower than this year’s level.
De Leon explained that some agencies may still have funds from their 2026 appropriations that can be utilized in the following year, which the Department of Budget and Management considered in preparing the proposed spending plan.
Bukidnon 2nd District’s Cong. Jonathan Flores, a deputy majority leader, meanwhile called for detailed explanations from government agencies on the proposed reductions, particularly in health and agriculture.
Flores said agencies should identify which programs would receive less funding and explain the possible effects on public services.
Tinio also objected to the proposed P10.773 billion allocation for confidential and intelligence funds, as well as P111.984 billion in unprogrammed appropriations.
He argued that government spending should be transparent and questioned the need for confidential allocations.
“Wala dapat confidential sa budget. Dapat transparent lahat,” Tinio said.
Unprogrammed appropriations serve as standby authority that can be tapped when conditions specified in the budget law are met, such as the availability of additional revenues.
Tinio also cited pending challenges before the Supreme Court involving unprogrammed appropriations and said these funds should be removed from the proposed budget.
The DBM defended the allocations, saying they comply with existing rules and are consistent with prudent fiscal management. It also stressed that confidential and intelligence funds remain subject to regulations on spending, accounting and auditing.
Tinio further alleged that the proposed spending plan could contain pork barrel allocations or budget insertions.
The proposed NEP will now undergo congressional review, where lawmakers may scrutinize agency allocations and recommend changes before the final national budget is enacted./PN
