The national budget submitted to Congress includes plans for all government programs to promote transparency and accountability, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano said Tuesday.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Cayetano said the requirement is part of the budget reforms instituted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The budget that was submitted to Congress is a budget na lahat ng programa kailangan may kasamang plano,” Cayetano said affirmingly.
He said the executive branch, under the president's direction, ensured that every program included in the proposed national budget had corresponding plans before it was submitted to Congress.
Cayetano described the measure as a major innovation and a step toward a more transparent budgeting process.
His remarks came amid renewed scrutiny of the national budget, particularly alleged large budget insertions and changes involving foreign-assisted projects, as well as allocations for flood control and infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Cayetano said Malacañang respects the constitutional authority of lawmakers to introduce amendments to the proposed budget based on the needs of their respective districts.
He added that Congress has its own process for reviewing and amending the proposed allocations, which the executive branch would monitor as deliberations proceed.
The proposed budget's provisions and corresponding project plans are part of the administration's efforts to ensure greater transparency in the allocation and implementation of public funds, he said.
Watch the full exclusive interview below:
