DBM: Infrastructure Spending Reached ₱61 Billion In October

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the government stabilized infrastructure spending in October and other capital outlays by a mere 0.5% or  ₱61 billion from ₱60.9 billion in 2021.

The DBM said the increase was due to the Department of Public Works and Highways Department of Transportation for their road and transport infrastructure projects.

However, this was offset by the lower capital outlay disbursements for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program of the Department of National Defense.

Minimal direct payments made by donor partners for foreign-assisted projects were also made.

Overall government spending in October reached ₱387 billion which increased by 22.2% on a yearly basis.

Meanwhile, combined allotment and capital transfers to local government units (LGUs) rose by 33% or ₱86.5 billion on higher tax collections due to the Mandanas Ruling.

The government recorded higher operating expenses of ₱72.5 billion for payouts such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, healthcare workers’ allowances, and student financial assistance programs.

Government spending also increased due to subsidy support to government corporations, which went up to ₱40 billion for releases to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., for irrigation services, housing programs, electrification, and rice buffer stocking.

As of October, the government adjusted the remaining balance of ₱5.27 trillion obligation program amounts to ₱184.3 billion and distributed ₱67.8 billion for special purpose funds and ₱63.5 billion for agency-specific budget items.

The DBM said spending performance is expected to continue as government agencies catch up to implement their programs and settle outstanding due and demandable obligations in 2022.

Source: Philstar