DBM cites Pisay’s low absorptive capacity in reducing budget for 2024

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) explained Thursday the lower budget allocation for the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) or “Pisay” under the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2024.

In a statement, the DBM said PSHSS proposed a budget of P4.214 billion next year, but the former only recommended P2.701 billion.

“The remaining P1.513 billion was not recommended due to various considerations, such as the PSHSS campuses’ low absorptive capacity ranging from 66% to 84%, as well as the non-submission of pertinent documents to ascertain implementation readiness of the proposed infrastructure projects,” the Budget Department said.

Pisay’s budget allocation for 2024 was lower by P335 million compared to the P3.036 billion appropriation this year, according to the DBM.

The agency said the decrease in PSHS’s budget, particularly capital outlay, “corresponds to the 38 non-recurring and terminating locally-funded projects in FY 2023.”

During the House appropriations’ panel hearing on the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) proposed 2024 budget, PSHSS executive director Lilia Habacon said the budget cut of the country’s prime secondary science school would affect infrastructure projects planned for the school’s regional campuses.

Habacon said the budget cut will also leave infrastructure projects in newer PSHS campuses in Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Soccsksargen (Region 12), Zamboanga and Caraga (Region 13), as well as items for teaching personnel in those campuses, unfunded.

Pisay is an attached agency of the DOST.

The DBM, meanwhile, said the PSHSS budget for 2024 is made up of P1.472 billion for personnel services, P901.2 million for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and P327.3 million for the capital outlay.—AOL, GMA Integrated News