TACLOBAN
CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) -– The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has
reminded government agencies to follow budget execution plans in the
implementation of 2017 projects to curb under spending.
DBM Eastern Visayas Regional Director Imelda Lacreas said that
all regional offices had met the November 29 deadline for the online
submission of budget execution documents (BEDs). The next step is to
ensure that plans will be put into action in budget spending.
The documents serve as bases to facilitate the release of funds
and enable prompt implementation of programs and projects including the
conduct of early procurement activities.
“This is one reform that started last year. We don’t anticipate
that everything can fall into place outright, but we expect more
improvements in absorptive capacity,” Laceras said.
BEDs contain the agency plans, spending schedules, and physical
targets. The DBM will evaluate and consolidate the documents to guide
the Development Budget Coordination Committee in formulating the
national government’s quarterly disbursement program.
“The mindset of planning during the early part of the year is a
thing of the past. Officials should have in mind what to do with their
budget before the start of a new calendar year,” she said.
The DBM regional chief urged agencies to start the bidding
process even before the approval of the 2017 budget and award the
contract on the first week of January 2017.
“Through this preparation, you will see that projects are up and
running within the first quarter of next year,” Laceras added. “We hope
that the spending is faster because the budget is nothing if it’s not
translated into spending.”
The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking a
PHP3.35-trillion budget for next year. Of the total, PHP1.34 trillion is
meant for social services, PHP924 billion for economic services,
PHP581.8 billion for general public services, PHP351.6 billion for debt
payment, and PHP147.8 billion for defense. (PNA)
LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano
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