Bersamin to public servants on budget spending: Be undeterred by 'noise'

Delivering a rallying call during a forum on the execution of the national budget, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Friday public servants should "ignore the noise" and instead focus on improving the lives of Filipinos.

"As we begin a new year, let us take the opportunity to renew our commitment to build the Bagong Pilipinas we all envision. Our mission today is crystal clear, to serve the Filipino people with unwavering integrity, relentless dedication, and genuine compassion," Bersamin said in his speech at the 2025 Budget Execution Forum in Pasay City.

"Let us forge ahead undeterred by the noise, focused on uplifting the lives of our people to the best of our abilities," Bersamin added.

He reminded public servants to hold themselves to the highest standards of good governance. He also said a genuine collaboration across government levels must be fostered.

Spearheaded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the forum seeks to provide an avenue to discuss the execution of the 2025 national budget.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab recently flagged supposed discrepancies in the bicameral conference committee report on the recently approved 2025 national budget.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., for his part, has dismissed the statements by his predecessor as "lies."

The Chief Executive signed into law the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025 on December 30 last year. He directly vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that were deemed inconsistent with his administration's priorities, including some programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In his veto message, Marcos said "the aim of this Administration in our Medium-Term Fiscal Program is to ensure that government targets will respond more directly to the needs of the Filipino people as strategic growth-enhancing fiscal consolidation is pursued."

Over the past weeks, Marcos has been meeting with departments and agencies to discuss the budget spending for this year. In some agencies, he ordered the restoration of funds for pertinent programs.

The DBM had earlier said revisions could still be made to the P6.326-trillion national budget, as long as these follow the provisions of the General Appropriations Act. — VDV, GMA Integrated News