DBM Proposes Rightsizing Scheme for Gov’t Agencies

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced that it has proposed a measure in reducing the staff of government agencies. This plan will affect around two million government employees but can potentially save ₱14.8 billion annually for taxpayers.

The DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has stated that the current administration is coming up with plans to rationalize the functions of several state-owned corporations and 187 government agencies.

The DBM approximates that around 5% of government employees currently part of several government positions could be right-sized.

However, Sec Pangandaman has not yet determined which specific government agencies would be removed or merged with other agencies. The estimates of two million jobs and ₱14.8 billion were given as examples.

“The overall objective of this plan is to have a slimmer bureaucracy, and make it agile and responsive to keep up with modern society,” said Sec Pangandaman in a DZBB interview.

“Those who would lose their jobs could apply to the new positions which will be created by the rightsizing bill. We will also have retooling programs for other affected personnel in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission,” she adds.

It was also clarified by Sec Pangandaman that the plan to reduce staff does not encompass medical, teaching, and military personnel, and state-firm positions part of the government-owned and controlled corporation governance act.

Sec Pangandaman also mentioned that this proposal would still need approval from Congress.

“Our plan is to prepare a proposal to Congress that will give power to the President and the executive to rightsize or reorganize the national government, which is under the executive,” she says.

Source: Manila Bulletin