Acting budget secretary Rolando Toledo. Photo courtesy of PNA.
Following instructions from the Palace to conduct a thorough review of their budgets and identify funds that can be realigned, government agencies have been ordered to redirect unused funds from the 2025 national budget to help finance the government’s energy emergency initiatives.
Acting budget secretary Rolando Toledo issued National Budget Circular 603 recently, directing all government departments, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges, and state-owned firms, to use unobligated allotments and continuing appropriations to support priority interventions.
According to the budget chief, “(u)nobligated allotments under the FY 2025 GAA (General Appropriations Act) that will no longer be used may be tapped as additional funding source subject to compliance.” These include continuing appropriations from prior fiscal years that remain valid for obligation.
“The measure (i)s intended to maximize the use of existing resources and promote fiscal discipline while allowing the government to respond swiftly to the energy emergency,” he noted while adding that agencies are likewise directed to intensify the implementation of cost-saving measures that include deferment of nonessential expenditures, rationalization of maintenance and operating expenses and prioritization of high-impact programs.
Toledo’s circular also reiterated the need to ensure that the realignment of funds would not disrupt the delivery of essential services or the implementation of critical projects.