Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized that a corruption loophole previously lodged under Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) has been eliminated in the proposed 2026 national budget, as recently approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance was referring to the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP), which previously housed lump-sum funds for government infrastructure projects and social services.
“Marami kasing bahagi ang Unprogrammed Appropriations, at isa na rito ang SAGIP. Dito nilalagay noon ang mga lump-sum na pondo, gaya ng para sa flood control projects, na naging ugat ng mga imbestigasyon sa korapsyon. Ito ang sinabi natin noon na tatanggalin natin, at tinanggal na nga natin sa 2026 budget,’ Gatchalian said.
“The Unprogrammed Appropriations component of the budget is not illegal.”
“Kaya sa bagong anyo ng Unprogrammed Appropriations, wala nang panggagalingan pa ng korapsyon,” the veteran legislator added, clarifying that the Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) component of the budget is not illegal.
SAGIP was funded with more than ₱50 billion in 2023, ₱225 billion in 2024, and ₱160 billion this year. It was only in 2024 that funds for flood control were included under SAGIP, amounting to ₱86.93 billion.
“Under UA, there are still other components such as foreign-assisted projects requiring counterpart funding.”
The seasoned lawmaker also pointed out that under UA, there are still other components such as foreign-assisted projects requiring counterpart funding from the Government of the Philippines (GOP).
“Sa Unprogrammed Appropriations talaga nakalagay ito dahil meron pa ‘yung mga proyekto na ongoing pa ang negosasyon at ‘yung iba naman ay wala pang kontratang napipirmahan,” the senator explained.
“These projects are not certain to push through, and it is not fiscally prudent to put them under Programmed Funds because they are tentative obligations of the government,” he concluded.
Other items in the Unprogrammed Appropriations include additional funding for the AFP Modernization Program.
