DFA seeks P35.17-B budget for 2027

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has proposed a P35.173-billion budget for 2027 to sustain its operations in national security, diplomacy and consular assistance.

“[The proposed 2027 budget] will enable us to sustain our core operations and respond to the Philippines’ growing requirements in national security, economic diplomacy, consular services, and assistance to national and organizational development,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said during the House budget hearing on Thursday.

The proposed 2027 DFA budget is slightly higher than the P34.9-billion allocation for 2026.

Of the proposed budget, P166.940 million is allocated for the Foreign Service Institute, P52.032 million for the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, and P51.384 million for the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces.

The proposed allocation is broken down as follows:

• Personnel Services (PS): P13.55 billion, or 39%
• Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE): P18.836 billion, or 54%
• Capital Outlay (CO): P2.515 billion, or 7%

In 2027, the DFA will implement the fourth tranche of salary increases and Foreign Service allowances. It will also transfer the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines under the PS budget.

Under the MOOE, the DFA will allocate P2.8 billion for the Next Generation Passport, set aside funds for foreign exchange fluctuations and inflation, and provide additional funding for foreign service personnel and its Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) project.

Under the CO, however, no funds are allocated for car fleet replacement, ISSP projects or new appropriations for the opening of foreign service posts in 2027.

DFA data showed that there are 10.5 million overseas Filipinos worldwide, including 2.7 million overseas Filipino workers. — VBL, GMA News