Philippines: Budget utilization moderate in Q1

• Apr 19, 2021

MANILA, Philippines — Budget utilization by government agencies eased in the first quarter, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Agencies used up P788.85 billion out of the P810.68 billion released through Notices of Cash Allocation (NCA) from January to March.

This resulted in a utilization ratio of 97 percent, down from 99 percent in the first quarter of last year.

Unused NCAs during the first quarter reached P21.84 billion, higher than P9.66 billion in the same period last year.

NCAs, which are valid until the last day of the quarter, are disbursement orders by the DBM to government banks servicing the release of funds to agencies.

A higher utilization ratio indicates greater capacity of agencies to implement their programs and projects.

Agencies that registered 100 percent budget utilization ratios during the period were the Departments of Agrarian Reform, Education, Energy, and Environment and Natural Resources.

Those that registered the lowest budget utilization ratios during the first three months, on the other hand, were the Commission on Elections and Department of Health.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/04/19/2092073/budget-utilization-moderate-q1