House Leader: Reduced Confidential and Intel Funds Allow for Increased Aid Program Funding

By janimonow on July 30, 2024

Congress to Realign Funds for Job Creation and Aid Programs

Reducing the allocation for confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in the proposed P6.35-trillion budget for 2025 will enable Congress to reallocate more funds to aid programs, according to House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Representative Mannix Dalipe.

Budget Adjustments

The CIF in the proposed 2025 budget is P10.285 billion, a reduction from this year's P12.378 billion. Of the 2025 CIF allocation, P4.56 billion is designated for the Office of the President. "We observed a decrease of about P2 billion pesos in CIF. It means that it gives us more elbow room to provide those funds for other purposes like job creation and other aid programs such as AICS and TUPAD," Dalipe stated during a press conference.

Aid Programs Benefiting from Reallocation

AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis): Managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers): Overseen by the Department of Labor and Employment.

"This elbow room is welcome news for us since we can provide for those in need," Dalipe added.

CIF Allocations for Other Agencies

The proposed 2025 budget includes CIF allocations for several agencies:

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency: P500 million
National Security Council: P250 million
Department of Finance (Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue): P79.5 million
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity: P60 million
Office of the Ombudsman: P51 million
Commission on Audit: P10 million
Anti Money Laundering Council: P7.5 million
Games and Amusements Board: P4 million
Commission on Human Rights: P1 million

Budget Approval Timeline

Dalipe expressed confidence that the House can approve the proposed 2025 budget on third and final reading by October. This target remains feasible even as the House continues its inquiries into drug war deaths during the previous administration and crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

"Every budget process is very challenging. We want to work on the deadline and transmit it before the October break so our counterparts in the Senate can also work on it on time," Dalipe said. He also mentioned that specific areas would be reserved for budget briefings and committee investigations, particularly on drug war deaths and POGO-related crimes.