The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has clarified that additional funds and new budget items in the 2025 national budget cannot be released without sufficient compliance by agencies with the set requirements. According to DBM Undersecretary Goddess Hope Libiran, the process is called For Issuance of Special Allotment Release Order (FISARO), where the SARO must be approved first before the funds can be used for government projects and programs.
Featured in the veto message of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fiscal prudence or careful fund management, as well as compliance with cash programming and government priorities. All funds added by Congress must go through the review and approval of the President, in accordance with the National Expenditure Program.
The AKAP Program was strengthened
The Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed success in 2024, with nearly 5 million beneficiaries and a 99.31% utilization rate from the total P26.7 billion budget allocation. AKAP provides P5,000 cash assistance to low-income families who do not receive assistance from other government programs.
According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the program is insulated from politics and ensures that only qualified beneficiaries will benefit. DSWD social workers review the application to avoid overlapping assistance from other social protection programs. The payout activities are carried out with the help of the LGUs for logistical support only.
AKAP's Conduct praised
House Appropriations Committee Chair Zaldy Co praised AKAP as an example of proper and transparent use of government funds. According to Co, AKAP shows zero corruption and helps Filipinos overcome the effects of inflation and poverty.
Co also criticized the programs of the previous administration that involved confidential funds and alleged corruption. According to him, AKAP's success is proof that clean governance is possible when the interest of the people is prioritized over politics.
Improving Budget Implementation
Meanwhile, former Senate President Franklin Drilon proposed that the funds added by Congress in the 2025 General Appropriations Act be made "For Later Release" (FLR). Its purpose is to ensure that the fund cannot be used in political campaigns for the upcoming elections. The FLR mechanism was previously implemented by the DBM and requires compliance with conditions before funds can be released.
Through these reforms, it is expected that the public will be more effective and benefit from government-funded programs, such as AKAP, which serves as a model of honest and responsible governance.
