The government released 84.3 percent of the 2017 national budget during the first half, a slower pace than a year ago, the latest Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data showed. From January to June, P2.824 trillion of the P3.35-trillion budget was released, including continuing appropriations under the 2016 national budget and other automatic appropriations. To compare, 87.2 percent or P2.618 trillion of the nonetheless smaller P3.002-trillion 2016 budget was released as of end-June last year. ADVERTISEMENTFor funds under the 2017 general appropriations act, allotment releases reached P1.905 trillion during the six-month period or 78.3 percent of the P2.432-trillion program. As for special purpose funds, P187.4 billion or 40.5 percent of the P463.2 billion allotted for 2017 have been released.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 07, 2017 02:26 UTC