Prudent use of DILG 2025 budget assured

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing the P6.32-trillion national budget as it assured responsible use of its allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged the DILG’s substantial budget of P279.1 billion, the fourth-largest allocation among government agencies.

“As the Department with the fourth-highest budget allocation at P279.1-billion, we extend our gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for his support of our mandate to foster excellence in local governance, promote peace and order, and enhance public safety for the development of resilient and inclusive communities,” Remulla said in a statement.

He assured that the DILG would manage its funds “responsibly, judiciously, and prudently” to align with the administration’s agenda for prosperity and inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, in compliance with the Commission on Audit’s (COA) recommendations, the DILG has closed four trust fund accounts at the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), amounting to over P12.98 million.

COA had flagged the department for maintaining these accounts, citing the lack of legal basis for their creation and retention as of the end of 2023.

The DILG explained that these accounts served as depositories for funds from other national government agencies to ensure the timely implementation of various programs and projects.

Earlier, the DILG closed the P1.73-million RO IX Trust Regular Account and the DILG-NCR Local Government Academy Special Project Account with P111,009.42.

Efforts are ongoing to close the remaining accounts, including the P1.116-million DILG-NCR Special Project Account and the P10.025-million DILG Central Office Trust Account.