Malacañang said Thursday the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has reported savings amounting to P22.7 billion that will be used to fund programs for vulnerable sectors affected by the war in the Middle East.

“According to DBM, ngayon may P22.79 billion na savings,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said when asked about the government savings following DBM’s issuance of National Budget Circulars 602 and 603, or the pooling of surplus to finance assistance programs.

“At sa ngayon, kaya in-announce itong circulars ay para ipanawagan doon sa mga agencies na i-identify nila at i-declare kung saan nila maaaring magamit ito.”

Castro clarified that the government will prioritize extending support through Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), aiding farmers, Filipino families, workers, commuters, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East crisis.

She added that the expanded UPLIFT announced recently by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will also be funded by the P22.7 billion savings.

“Actually, diyan na nanggaling, from the P22.79 billion, iyong ni-release sa DSWD na P12.57 billion para sa assistance sa mga pamilyang in need,” said Castro.

“At muli, ang mga savings na ito ay gagamitin sa UPLIFT interventions para DMW, DOTr, mga DOE programs. Ito ay most probably mas maibibigay doon sa mga apektado dahil sa krisis sa Middle East.”

The DBM issued National Budget Circular (NBC) Nos. 602 and 603 in April and May, respectively, to direct national agencies to pool surplus and unused money to fund economic and energy-crisis relief programs, specifically the expanded UPLIFT. Presidential News Desk