CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is calling on the public to actively participate in the budgetting process.

Discussing the importance of the government's task of allocating resources to implement projects, activities, programs, and services, DBM accountant Michael T. Macesar said public participation enhances transparency in the budgeting process, making government decisions more visible to citizens. 

He added that this inclusivity aims to ensure a responsive budget allocation, enhance good governance, and improve the delivery of public services. 

Heightening awareness of the process, Macesar cited how important it is to get the budget proposals planned for various government agencies prepared for the fiscal year 2025, which includes state universities and colleges, head departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, commissions, and other government-affiliated educational institutions.

"Budgeting is the same as budgeting at home because, in the case of the government, the government is also dependent on the income that we get from the taxes that we can generate and also from the borrowing that we have, whether internally generated or from outside sources," he said.

Budget for 2025

Macesar said the DBM proposed a P5.768 trillion national budget for the fiscal year 2025, aligning with the government's agenda for prosperity. Crafted with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework as a blueprint, this budget aims to secure a future-proof and sustainable economy in line with the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of the administration.

Prioritizing sectors crucial to economic growth, the proposed budget allocates P1.709 trillion, constituting 29.6 percent of the total budget in areas such as education, public works, health, interior and local government, defense, transportation, social welfare, agriculture, judiciary, and labor and employment.

With a commitment to human development, P2.183 trillion, or 37.9 percent of the budget, is designated for social services. This encompasses significant funding for education, health, and social welfare programs.

The budget allocates substantial resources to key infrastructure projects, including rail transport, network development, farm-to-market roads, land public transportation, and energy development programs.

Moreover, addressing a vital aspect of national resilience, programs like the National Rice Program, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Irrigation Services, and the Buffer Stocking Program receive considerable funding to ensure food security.

To streamline government processes, projects such as the Justice System Infrastructure Program, the National Government Data Center Infrastructure, and the Philippine Identification System are included in the budget. Lastly, to tackle environmental challenges, the budget incorporates climate change expenditures, including the Flood Management Program.

Future-proofing 

As the country faces economic challenges and limited resources, Macesar said the allocation of the FY 2025 budget remains crucial. The evaluation process will prioritize agency proposals that are implementation-ready, utilizing lessons from previous budgets and emphasizing transparency and accountability.

He explained that for the country to accomplish its national and socioeconomic objectives, DMB encourages the wise, effective, and efficient use of all available government resources, including financial, human, and technological ones. The department oversees public expenditure management to ensure that funds are allocated effectively and that citizens feel the government's services, know they are paying taxes, and can see the results of those taxes in the form of improved infrastructure or social services.

"Our country has very many urgent needs, but we only have limited resources, so that's one challenge more than our government now that our resources are limited. Although yes, we have bounced back after the pandemic; we have boosted our economic activity; however, we have to address many socio-economic issues that we also need to pay attention to so that we can solve them,” Macesar said. 

Even with these challenges, Macesar underscored the 7.6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2022, surpassing the 6.5 to 7.5 percent target and indicating a rebound to pre-pandemic levels. He, however, stressed that it is still important to address numerous socio-economic issues despite economic recovery.

Thus, he underscored the role of taxes, derived from both individuals and businesses, as a primary funding source for crucial government initiatives. He also urged citizens to stay informed about these fiscal matters and to recognize the government's ongoing efforts to balance the needs of the marginalized with the demands of the influential private sector.

As fiscal year 2025 preparation progresses, the DBM remains committed to handling the obstacles of scarce resources and making sure that proper fiscal planning is done for the country's future. (RTP/PACR/PIA-10)