Malacañang revealed that ₱22.79 billion in consolidated state savings will be funneled into aid initiatives aimed at shielding vulnerable Filipinos from the spillovers of the Middle East conflict.
Speaking in a media briefing on Thursday, July 23, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) pinpointed the ₱22.79 billion pool from unspent agency funds.
The announcement comes following queries regarding unallocated money tied to National Budget Circular (NBC) Nos. 602 and 603—directives ordering government departments to pool excess resources for top-priority relief measures. Castro noted that the measures were issued so agencies could systematically audit and declare surplus money suitable for rapid reallocation toward pressing national priorities.
The pooled funds will largely bankroll the enhanced Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.
Re-launched by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the broadened mechanism targets distressed farmers, laborers, commuters, families, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reeling from the geopolitical crisis.
Castro also clarified that the ₱12.57 billion earlier disbursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was drawn directly from this ₱22.79 billion savings cache.
“At muli, ang mga savings na ito ay gagamitin sa UPLIFT interventions para sa DMW, DOTr, mga DOE programs. Ito ay most probably mas maibibigay doon sa mga apektado dahil sa krisis sa Middle East,” Castro said.
Rolled out in April and May, DBM’s twin circulars instructed state entities to centralize leftover funds to fortify energy assistance and economic safety nets under the expanded UPLIFT framework.