THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) doesn’t see anything wrong with the request of the President to allot over P1 billion in government funds to defray his foreign travels next year.
According to Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, the Office of the President has requested P1.054 billion which according to her is lower than the P1.148 billion allocated for Marcos’ trips this year.
“It is P94 million or eight percent decrease compared to P1.148 billion allocation in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. Bumaba po siya ng eight percent,” Pangandaman told Palace reporters in a briefing.
“Siguro, kung makikita po natin dito sa proposal nila siguro may nabawasan po silang travel both local and foreign.”
In his first two years, Marcos has been a subject of criticism for frequent trips abroad, for which the DBM chief insisted that those trips are required to promote the Philippines as an investment destination and boost partnerships with allied countries.
Amid lower budget for the President’s trips, Pangandaman nevertheless stood firm that the government sustain efforts to attract investors and follow up investment pledges.
“Together also with DTI and kami rin po sa economic team – we still continue to go out and parang kumbaga we market the Philippines as an investment destination – tuluy-tuloy po iyan,” she said.
“Samantalang, iyong iba po may mga pinirmahan na po na mga memorandum of understanding and agreement ang ating Presidente kailangan pa rin po mayroon din pa pong follow-ups itong mga ito para to ensure na makarating nga itong mga investments na nakalap natin noong mga nakaraang taon.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
