Marcos: Keep DSWD programs out of 2026 unprogrammed budget

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed his desire to exclude Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) programs from unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget.

During a meeting at Malacañang Palace, Marcos said this change would ensure that government welfare programs directly benefit needy Filipinos without delays.

“DSWD programs should no longer be in the unprogrammed appropriation next year,” the President said. “Dapat nandiyan na para mabilis mapakinabangan.''

(DSWD programs should no longer be in the unprogrammed appropriations next year. They should already be in the programmed budget to expedite their availability.)

Unprogrammed appropriations, as defined by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), serve as standby authority for additional agency obligations for priority programs or projects. These are utilized when revenue collections exceed targets or when additional grants or foreign funds are secured.

In simpler terms, unprogrammed appropriations are akin to household purchases planned but only executed if extra funds, such as bonuses or loans, become available.

In the 2025 budget, President Marcos vetoed P168 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations. Notably, the DSWD's budget was reduced by P10.85 billion, or 4.79%, from P226.67 billion in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Expenditure Program to P215.82 billion in the General Appropriations Act.

The Presidential Communications Office noted that the DSWD is seeking an additional P41.8 billion from unprogrammed appropriations to fund the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) grants for the period August to December 2025. — DVM, GMA Integrated News