DBM tightens review of 2027 budget proposals

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has completed one of its most comprehensive reviews of agency budget proposals in recent years to ensure that the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan and the priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said the review went beyond checking the completeness of submissions by evaluating implementation readiness, strategic relevance, measurable outcomes and fiscal sustainability.

De Leon said the DBM is targeting to submit the proposed 2027 NEP to Congress before Aug. 14, 2026.

Among the reforms introduced is a requirement for priority regional projects to secure endorsements from Regional Development Councils before they can be included in agency budget proposals. The measure aims to strengthen coordination with local governments and ensure that spending addresses regional development priorities.

To promote greater transparency, the DBM has also launched the Centralized Open Monitoring Platform for Appropriations and Spending Statistics (DBM Compass), a digital portal that allows the public to monitor government spending from budget allocation to fund disbursement.

“More than just another government website, DBM Compass is the country’s first integrated digital platform that enables every Filipino to trace the movement of public funds,” De Leon said.

The DBM is likewise expanding Project DIME, which uses satellite imagery, drones, geotagging and other digital technologies to independently verify the progress of major infrastructure projects, including flood control initiatives.

According to De Leon, the reforms are designed to prevent questionable projects from entering the national budget, stressing that the strongest safeguard against corruption is preventing irregularities before public funds are released. TRACY CABRERA