THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said budget preparation activities are proceeding according to its timetable, keeping it on track to submit the proposed national budget to the Congress on time.
“The DBM remains fully on track to meet its mandate to submit the proposed national budget to Congress within the constitutional deadline, that is within 30 days from the opening of Congress,” it told BusinessWorld.
“All activities are proceeding according to the established timetable, and we anticipate that the timely submission of agency proposals will support the formal transmittal of the FY 2027 budget after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” it added.
According to the 2027 Budget Preparation Calendar, agencies are given until April 28 to submit hard copies of their budget proposals.
Meanwhile, the DBM is scheduled to submit the budget documents to the President on Aug. 12, while the President is expected to convey the budget to Congress by Aug. 14, or two weeks after the SONA.
“As of April 22, submissions remain ongoing, with approximately 30% of Budget Preparation (BP) forms already recorded in the Online Submission of Budget Proposals System (OSBPS),” the DBM said.
“Given that each agency is required to complete a full set of around 22 BP forms, submissions are typically undertaken in phases and are expected to be completed closer to the deadline,” it added.
Agencies are given until April 24 to submit their proposals through the OSBPS and until April 28 for the submission of corresponding signed hard copies.
“Following the submission period, the DBM will proceed with technical budget hearings, where agencies will present and further justify their proposals,” the DBM said.
“These will be followed by internal reviews, consultations, and series of deliberations to ensure the proposed budget will align with national priorities and fiscal parameters within the limited fiscal space, prior to its consolidation into the National Expenditure Program,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
