In a statement, the DBM said Pangandaman approved the issuance of National Budget Memorandum 145, otherwise known as the National Budget Call, which signals all heads of departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, commissions, state universities and colleges, and other instrumentalities of the national government to start preparing their budget proposals for 2024.
“The 2024 National Expenditure Program shall adhere to the policies and directions embodied in the government’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. We will make sure that the proposal shall support the achievement of the targets set by the FY 2022-2028 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF),” Pangandaman said.
She said the National Budget Call seeks to put emphasis on:
* Infrastructure development
* Digital and social infrastructure development
* Climate change and disaster risk vulnerable areas
* Social sector
* Basic public services
* Capacity-building programs for local government units
“The President’s directive is clear — we need to assure that no Filipino will be left behind. Everyone will be part of the development as we will give full support to the poorest and most vulnerable sectors by providing basic public services,” Pangandaman added.
She said the government will continue the adoption of administrative reforms for greater transparency, openness, accountability and reliability in terms of budget including the Cash Budgeting System, Open Government Partnership (OGP), among others.
Meantime, Pangandaman assured that the government will continue to implement interventions as a response to external pressures, such as the continuing Russian-Ukraine war and the economic scarring brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in the areas of food security, transport and logistics, energy, bureaucratic efficiency and fiscal management, health, education and social protection. (SunStar Philippines)