DBM to government agencies: Tone down holiday-making
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has reminded government agencies to exercise “judicious and prudent” use of public funds in conducting year-end celebrations and other events, citing the pressures being felt by Filipino households from the energy crisis and mounting El Niño.
Under Circular Letter No. 2026-15, the DBM said upcoming events, including the purchase of items for such celebrations, must be “simple and modest in scale rather than costly or elaborate festivities.”
“Cognizant of pressures that many Filipino families are experiencing from economic and environmental factors, all government agencies are encouraged to hold sensible, mindful and meaningful celebrations or gatherings that foster camaraderie and boost the morale of their personnel,” the DBM said.
“In keeping with the public trust reposed in them, public servants are called to embody compassion, empathy and solidarity with their fellow Filipinos, and to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within the organization and with the people they serve,” it added.
The DBM specifically cited the national energy situation and the El Niño phenomenon as considerations for exercising prudence in the use of public funds.
The reminder comes as Philippine economic growth slowed further to 2.1 percent in the third quarter, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of slowdown amid the fallout from the flood control corruption scandal and the Middle East conflict.
3-year high inflation
Household spending has also been dampened, with inflation accelerating to a three-year high of 7.8 percent in October and marking its eighth consecutive month of breaching the central bank’s 3-percent target.
The DBM said the prudent use of public funds has long been institutionalized under the Constitution as well as various laws and government issuances.
These include: Executive Order No. 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987; Republic Act No. 6173, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Commission on Audit Circular No. 2012-003; and Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 110.
According to DBM, the latest reminder is intended to call upon public servants to strictly comply with existing laws, rules, and regulations on the use of government funds.
