THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it moved up the deadline for government agencies to request the release of additional funds and related budget authorizations to Nov. 3 from Nov. 16, citing the need to maximize budget utilization before the year ends.
“Requests for additional obligational and disbursement authorities received by the DBM beyond the prescribed cut-off date shall be deferred for consideration in FY 2027,” the DBM said in Circular Letter No. 2026-13 dated Oct. 21.
According to the DBM, the revised deadline “is intended for the timely assessment and prioritization of budgetary requests, considering that 97.1% of the FY 2026 Total Expenditure Program had already been released as of Oct. 15.”
However, the DBM clarified that requests for mandatory or urgent purposes are exempt from the prescribed cut-off date, subject to availability of funds.
These include additional personnel services requirements, such as the government’s share of retirement and life insurance premium contributions and terminal leave benefits for National Government personnel devolved to local governments.
The exempted items also include requests for the issuance of non-cash availment authorities to record loan disbursements and requests arising from extraordinary or prevailing circumstances requiring an immediate government response. — Justine Irish D. Tabile