Duterte OKs P4.51 trillion budget for 2021

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has approved the proposed P4.506- trillion budget for 2021, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“In view of the President’s approval of the P4.506- trillion fiscal year 2021 proposed budget, the DBM will be finalizing the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and other budget documents for submission to Congress before the 30-day constitutional deadline,” the DBM said.

Under the Constitution, the executive department has 30 days or until Aug. 27 from the resumption of sessions in Congress to file the budget proposal.

The DBM earlier adjusted upward the proposed budget ceiling for 2021 to P4.506 trillion from P4.335 trillion after going through the proposals of all agencies.

The proposed budget for 2021 is higher by 9.9 percent than this year’s budget of P4.1 trillion and equivalent to 21.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“Every peso of the proposed P4.506 trillion 2021 budget went through numerous budget hearings and consultations with the agencies, and levels of scrutiny and approval,” the budget department said.

The DBM said the 2021 budget would focus on the government’s continued efforts to address the crisis brought about by the pandemic.

“The proposed fiscal year 2021 budget aims to sustain government efforts toward effectively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing government spending on improving our healthcare systems, ensuring food security, increasing investments in public and digital infrastructure, and helping communities cope and prevail in these trying times,” it said.