Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Friday acknowledged signs of underspending across several major government programs, calling for immediate intervention after a performance review of flagship projects.
Following a high-level meeting at Malacañang Palace with the heads of the Agriculture, Transportation, Public Works, Education, and Budget departments, Recto noted that while funds are available, implementation is lagging.
“There are spots of underspending, and these must be resolved immediately.”
With ₱1.287 trillion in allocation releases programmed for the second quarter, Recto emphasized that the administration is focused on narrowing the gap between the release of funds and actual project completion to ensure the public feels the benefits of the national budget.
“It is a must that the social good that this will fund be enjoyed by the people soonest.”
To address these bottlenecks, officials are pushing for the adoption of new procurement rules designed to cut through bureaucratic delays.
Recto maintained that efficiency can be achieved without abandoning government standards.
“There is a way that we can speed up the process without taking legal shortcuts. Red tape that causes paralysis without sacrificing transparency can be done away with.”
The directive comes straight from the top, as President Bongbong Marcos continues to press his Cabinet to deliver on high-impact projects that shield the local economy from international instability.
“The President’s order is to fast-track priority programs to push economic growth against global headwinds.”