DBM issues call for 2021 budget

MANILA, Philippines — Even before the approval of the 2020 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already asked government agencies to start preparing their budget proposals for fiscal year 2021.

Acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado has issued National Budget Memorandum 133, containing the national budget call for fiscal year 2021.

“That is to serve as early notice to all government departments or agencies to now start preparing their proposed budget for 2021, guided by the established rules and procedures,” Avisado said in a text message.

Budget Undersecretary Laura Pascua, in addition, said the budget call was released earlier to allow agencies more time to draft their programs for 2021.

However, Avisado said the DBM has yet to set a budget ceiling for the 2021 national budget. He said this would be determined when the Development Budget Coordination Committee meets on Dec. 11.

Under the memorandum, Avisado said the government would continue to adopt a cash budgeting system (CBS).

“In the third year of the transition towards CBS, there will be greater focus on ensuring the implementation-readiness of proposals through better procurement planning, programming of projects and activities, and coordination among agencies,” the DBM said.

“With budgeting as the last phase of the planning process, agencies are expected to anchor their budget proposals on more concrete program plans and designs that outline key procurement and implementation milestones, specific beneficiaries, and improvement in monitoring priority outputs and results,” it said.

The DBM also reminded agencies to anchor their proposals on the 0+10 point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan.

“Priority programs and projects contained in the updated 2017 to 2022 Public Investment Program (PIP) and the Approved 2021 to 2023 Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Program (TRIP) reflect the continuing emphasis on infrastructure spending,” the memo read.

The DBM also called on national government agencies to coordinate with local government units to ensure that regional plans are aligned with national priorities.