House open to unprogrammed appropriations cut

Metro Manila, Philippines - The House of Representatives is open to cutting the P243-billion unprogrammed funds in the proposed 2026 national budget, appropriations panel chairwoman Mikaela Suansing said on Monday, Oct. 20.

Suansing made the remark after Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Win Gatchalian recommended retaining unprogrammed appropriations for foreign-assisted projects (FAP) only.

Aside from FAPs, Suansing said other items that need funds are government-owned and -controlled corporations, military modernization, and the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Program.

“Ang takot ko kung i-wipe out natin lahat ng laman ng unprogrammed appropriations… kung hindi po natin bibigyan ng legal basis for funding these items, hindi po tayo makakabatak,” Suansing explained in a press briefing.

[Translation: My fear is if we wipe out the entire unprogrammed appropriations, if we do not give a legal basis for funding these items, we would not have funding sources.]

“I am very much open to reducing unprogrammed appropriations pero sana po [but I hope] we retain the purposes that are really needed,” the Nueva Ecija lawmaker said.

Citing the Department of Budget and Management, Suansing said there will be no “flexibility to respond to emergencies and unforeseen circumstances" if items in the unprogrammed appropriations would be removed.

Suansing said there is no allocation for unprogrammed funds next year. These will only be financed when there is excess revenues and with loan deals for FAPs.

The House approved its version of the budget bill on final reading on Oct. 13. Twelve lawmakers who opposed it raised concerns on unprogrammed appropriations.

The Senate is still scrutinizing the budget.