DBM Won't Ask for More Funds, Vows More Efficient Spending in FY 2027
PASAY CITY — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will not ask for more funds and will instead focus on using its available resources more efficiently, according to DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon.
De Leon said this during the Senate Committee on Finance's hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget of the DBM and its attached agencies on October 22, 2026, in Pasay City. The hearing was moderated and led by Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian and Committee Chairperson Senator JV G. Ejercito.
According to the DBM, a bigger budget isn't the only way to get better results. Stronger fiscal discipline and smarter use of available resources can also help government deliver more efficiently.
De Leon assured the committee that no reforms or programs will be delayed or adversely affected despite the 12.45% lower budget proposed for the DBM for FY 2027.
He said that instead of asking for a bigger budget, the DBM will use funds available from continuing appropriations, continuously revisit expenditures that can be reduced or eliminated, and utilize in-house talent more efficiently.
"We are just spending more efficiently, revisiting whether we really need these items, and, in fact, pursuing efficiency measures without entailing substantial cost from the part of government," said Secretary Kim De Leon.
He made the statement after sharing that the DBM was also able to release the DBM COMPASS and DBM SUBMIT. These are digital initiatives that use existing DBM talents to provide better systems that will enhance efficiency while upholding greater transparency and accountability.
According to the DBM, its zero allocation for capital outlay in the proposed FY 2027 budget further reflects its efforts to prioritize essential expenditures and maximize existing resources, so that every peso spent works harder for every Filipino.
De Leon also committed to working closely with Congress to strengthen safeguards in the release of funds and enhance good governance practices. This is to ensure that the FY 2027 National Budget is constitutional, following the recent Supreme Court ruling on previous years' budgets.
The DBM will work closely with the Senate Committee on Finance to complete all other requested information in preparation for the upcoming Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed FY 2027 National Budget.
De Leon was joined at the hearing by DBM senior officials and heads of attached agencies.
QUICK SUMMARY
What: DBM says it won't ask for more funds and will use its resources more efficiently
Where: Senate Committee on Finance hearing, Pasay City
When: October 22, 2026
Impact on the Philippines: DBM Acting Secretary Kim De Leon assured that no reforms or programs will be delayed despite the 12.45% lower proposed DBM budget, and committed to strengthening safeguards in fund releases for the FY 2027 National Budget
Source: Department of Budget and Management (DBM)