Malacañang stood firm that the funds under unprogrammed appropriations will not be used as a form of pork barrel, emphasizing that the allocation is meant to respond to the real and urgent needs of the Filipino people.
During a press briefing held by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Tuesday, October 14, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro expressed the Palace’s stance following claims from the opposition that such funds could allegedly be used as pork barrel.
“Siguro po trabaho naman po talaga ng mga oposisyon na sila ay mag-object, kung sila ay may nakikitang mga isyu, pero, sa palagay po at sa tingin ng pamahalaan, at lalong-lalo na po ng DBM, sinasabi po natin ang budget lalong-lalo na po sa unprogrammed appropriations, ay kinakailangan po,” Castro said.
She explained that the unprogrammed appropriations are necessary, especially when regular or contingency funds run out, such as those of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) fund.
“Lalong-lalo na po ito, hindi po ba nagkakaroon po tayo ng sinasabi nating magkakaroon ng pag-deplete ng funds ng NDRRM, dahil sa maraming nagiging kalamidad sa ngayon. Sa ngayon po kapag ka po nag-deplete ‘yan, at naubos na po ang contingent funds, diyan po naman kukuha sa unprogrammed appropriations, mula sa SAGIP,” she added.
Castro also assured that the Palace will exercise caution in releasing and utilizing the said funds to ensure proper spending.
“Kaya po tandaan po natin, kahit ito po ay nasa unprogrammed appropriations, iingatan po ang budget na ‘to at hindi naman po agad ito mailalabas, para katakutan nila at sasabihing magiging pork barrel lamang,” the press officer stated.
She further emphasized that President Marcos himself has ordered investigations into alleged anomalies in the use of funds for flood control projects, underscoring his intent to safeguard public funds.
“Ngayon po sabi nga natin, ang Pangulo mismo ang nagpapaimbestiga patungkol dito sa mga maanomalyang paggamit ng pondo para sa flood control projects, mas lalo pong pag-iingatan ng Pangulo ang budget na ito para po mas maging maganda at hindi malustay ang pera kung saan-saan,” Castro said.
It may be recalled that the House of Representatives on Monday, October 13, approved on its third and final reading House Bill No. 4058, which proposes a ₱6.793-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026.