Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday reminded Cabinet members and other department heads that projects and programs capable of being completed quickly and facing fewer implementation challenges would be prioritized in the proposed 2027 national budget.
In a social media post, Recto assured the public that government funds would be allocated only to programs and projects that provide clear benefits to the public.
“Ang tagubilin ng Pangulo na tanging mga proyekto lamang na siguradong mabilis at walang sagabal sa implementasyon ang bibigyan ng prayoridad,” the post read.
“The President’s directive is to prioritize only projects guaranteed to proceed quickly and without implementation hurdles,” it added.
Recto said agencies must ensure that their proposed projects are aligned with the government’s programs and the national development plan.
“Kaya dapat pawang nakatugma sa programa ng pamahalaan, ayon sa pambansang plano, at mataas ang pampublikong benepisyo ang maisama sa panukalang gastusin,” he said.
“Therefore, only projects that are aligned with the government’s program and national plan, and offer high public benefit, should be included in the proposed expenditure,” he added.
The Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 9.
The Cabinet scrutinized and approved the proposal the following day, although the draft NEP will still undergo further rigorous review and study.
Malacañang has up to one month after the President’s State of the Nation Address on July 27 to submit the final version of the proposed 2027 national budget.