News Release

Reforms accelerate gov’t spending in 1H of 2024 — DBM



The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday reported a higher budget utilization rate for the first semester of this year, citing reforms implemented by different agencies.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, DBM Principal Economist Dr. Joselito Basilio reported that as of the end of June, spending is around 14 percent higher this year compared to last year.

“So overall, as of the second quarter or first semester or end-June, initial data collected from agencies, around 14 percent higher na ang spending natin this year compared with last year,” Basilio said.

“So ‘yung releases have been around 24.6 billion higher than programmed. So, that means may mga na-accelerate tayong mga programa and projects na siyang nasimulan nang mas maaga ngayong taon ito,” he added.

During the briefing, Basilio cited the reforms implemented by the agencies.

“So, for example, DPWH has its Road Network Infrastructure Program. Mas naging mabilis sila this first semester. Ang isa sa mga reason ay nagko-conduct sila ng early procurement activities,” Basilio said.

“Meaning bago pa mag-simula ‘yung January 1, nakapag-bid out na sila ng kanilang mga road infrastructure projects, even before the year began so that pag-release ng budget by January 1 simula na agad ‘yung pagpa-implement ng proyekto,” he explained.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for its part, has implemented improvements in its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), according to Basilio.

“Iyong sa 4Ps ng DSWD, mas maganda ‘yung naging proseso at ngayon mas may malinis na silang sistema at listahan ng benepisyaryo compared with last year,” Basilio said.

“Kaya ‘yung releases nila for 4Ps have been faster for this year compared with last year,” he said.

Basilio also cited the bigger spending of the Department of National Defense (DND) for its modernization program.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), on the other hand, has also started its spending activities in preparation for next year’s polls. PND