The Philippine Senate plans to implement a more systematic, evidence-based budgeting process to address the yearly average of P385 billion in unused appropriations, which Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson attributed to patronage-driven fund allocations.
Lacson criticized lawmakers for inserting and realigning budgets without consulting implementing agencies, particularly in projects under the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Proposed measures include consolidating scattered social assistance programs, such as health care and scholarships, to streamline aid delivery and eliminate discretionary distributions.
The reforms aim to ensure programs are based on genuine need and policy rather than political influence, with misaligned funds under programs like 4Ps and PhilHealth highlighted as key areas for scrutiny.
Senator Pia Cayetano emphasized maintaining the P60-billion PhilHealth allocation in the 2026 budget to ensure legal and effective delivery of health services.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 5, 2025
