Malacañang is seeking the immediate passage of a proposed law that would allow the government to tap budget savings for relief measures amid rising fuel prices and global pressures on food and transport costs.
The proposed Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) bill would authorize the use of unutilized funds under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, as well as allocations from the current and upcoming national budgets, to support government responses to inflation and energy-related challenges.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the measure was discussed in a recent meeting and is expected to be certified as urgent.
“Napag-usapan po ang balak na gawing batas… ang layunin nito ay alisin ang ilang limitasyon sa paggamit ng savings at unutilized funds,” Castro said, referring to existing budget rules that restrict the immediate reuse of idle appropriations without new legislation.
Under current regulations, unused funds for capital outlay and maintenance and other operating expenses may only be carried over for a limited period before reverting to the national surplus if not obligated.
The proposed bill aims to streamline the use of these funds by allowing quicker allocation of unreleased and unobligated appropriations from the 2025 budget, as well as future releases under the 2026 spending plan.
Castro said the proposal is timely given ongoing economic pressures and will be fast-tracked once submitted to Congress.
During the same meeting, government agencies also reported on supply conditions. The Department of Energy said the country’s oil buffer stock has increased from 52 to 54 days, with a possible diesel price rollback in the coming days.
The Department of Agriculture assured the Palace that supplies of rice, pork, and chicken remain stable and sufficient through year-end.
The Department of Budget and Management also announced the launch of the UPLIFT program portal, which outlines government interventions under five pillars: saving lives, ensuring fuel supply, supporting vulnerable sectors, stabilizing food prices, and securing electricity supply.
Launched in March, the UPLIFT framework serves as the government’s coordinated response to global energy disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, aimed at cushioning Filipino consumers from rising costs of basic goods and services.