Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Wednesday assured the public that the ₱249 billion in unprogrammed appropriations under the proposed ₱6.793-trillion 2026 national budget are lawful, transparent and strictly regulated, serving only as a fiscal reserve that can be used when government revenues exceed targets.
“Ang unprogrammed appropriations ay reserbang pondo ng ating pamahalaan. Hindi po ito kasama sa kabuuan ng proposed budget for next year na nagkakahalaga ng ₱6.793 trillion,” Dy said in a radio interview.
He said the amount—equivalent to around 3.6 percent of the FY2026 General Appropriations Bill—is well within the 5-percent ceiling set by the Department of Budget and Management.
The Speaker said the House devoted long hours to ensure that the 2026 spending plan is transparent and reform-driven.
These funds, he explained, may only be tapped if there are excess revenues, new taxes or finalized foreign loan-assisted projects.
The Speaker said the House has already removed infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and flood control from the unprogrammed list and reallocated the funds to education, health and social protection.
He gave assurances that the unprogrammed appropriations will not be subject to abuse or misuse, noting that the House has imposed multiple layers of safeguards.
“May mga control measures po tayong inihanda,” he said.
Dy said agencies are required to first submit a special budget request, along with supporting documents detailing how the funds will be used, before any amount can be released.
He added that the law mandates a quarterly report on how the unprogrammed appropriations are utilized, while Congress will form an oversight committee to monitor fund implementation and ensure that every peso is spent properly.
Dy said the amount—equivalent to around 3.6 percent of the FY2026 General Appropriations Bill—is well within the 5-percent ceiling set by the Department of Budget and Management.
The Speaker said the House devoted long hours to ensure that the 2026 spending plan is transparent and reform-driven.
“Sana naman, dahil dito sa bagong budget, nakita naman po natin talagang nagtrabaho po ng husto ang atin pong mga kasamahan sa Kongreso, inaabot po kami ng madaling araw. Talagang pinagsikapan po namin na isang transparent at accountable na budget proposal namin po next year,” said Dy.
Dy maintained that unprogrammed appropriations are a necessary fiscal tool that allows the government to respond flexibly to unexpected revenue increases or pending foreign-assisted projects.
He said the funds are used when revenues exceed targets or for projects from lenders like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank that await approval from agencies such as the National Economic and Development Authority, ensuring implementation once requirements are met.
Dy reiterated that the House welcomes scrutiny and public participation as part of its continuing drive for transparency.
“Alam nating lahat pinagdududahan kung paano mababawasan ang korapsyon o ‘di kaya’y matanggal. Sana naman ang amin pong pakiusap, dahil dito sa bagong budget na nakita naman po natin talagang nagtrabaho po ng husto ang atin pong mga kasamahan sa Kongreso.”
