To my dearest colleagues and fellow public servants here at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and our DBM family from our regional offices joining us online, good morning.
Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
A few days ago, we received the good news that our budget deficit for 2024 has gone down to 5.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 6.2 percent in 2023, thanks to our better-than-expected revenue and spending performance. And I am proud to report that the 2024 National Government’s spending reached Php 5.925 trillion or 22.41 percent of GDP! This improved performance is evidence that we are truly on track to achieving our economic targets.
So, allow me to recognize the very hard-working men and women of DBM, especially from the Budget Preparation and Execution (BPE) Group, headed by Usec. Rolando U. Toledo and ASec. Rhea Dela Vega, for contributing to this success!
This is just one result of our increased efforts to optimize our agencies’ budget utilization rates and our commitment to maintaining strong disbursement performance.
Indeed, the DBM is a beacon of integrity, for we fulfill our mandate no matter the circumstances. However, our work does not end with crafting and disbursing the National Budget; that is only one part of the equation. Remember, we are the Department of Budget AND Management, and it is high time we strengthened the management aspect of our mandate.
Hence, we are reintroducing the Enhanced Agency Performance Reviews (EAPR)—a mechanism designed to strengthen accountability, verify goal attainment, and enhance Public Expenditure Management.
The EAPR is our way of reflecting on our purpose and our promises to our citizens. It is asking ourselves: At the end of the day, did we really use our public funds to improve the life of every Filipino? While this question is answerable by yes or no, arriving at the real answer is more complex than that.
To help us navigate this significant task, we have issued Circular Letter No. 2025-2, outlining the guidelines for conducting the AEPR for 2024 and beyond. This incorporates key findings from Focus Group Discussions on the effectiveness and challenges of the previous review process.
And I am proud to share that several recommendations have already been integrated into the EAPR. Notably, some of the most critical additions are anchored in the core principles of effective management: empowerment, collaboration, strategic direction, and motivation.
We have introduced the Self-Assessed Financial and Physical Performance (SAFPP) Tool, which enables agencies to independently identify bottlenecks in program implementation and develop catch-up plans to address them. By empowering agencies with this tool, we hope to promote a sense of accountability and encourage proactive problem-solving within their teams.
But this does not mean they have to do this alone. We will continue to support them through Performance Dialogues. Through this collaborative process, we can achieve more effective program execution and improved public service delivery.
Next, the adoption of the Agency Performance Reviews or the APR Scorecard will facilitate a more objective and standardized evaluation of performance across departments and agencies. It will also provide a clear strategic direction, ensuring that goals are aligned, progress is measured consistently, and data-driven insights guide improvements.
Finally, we know that the EAPR process can be demanding, but we undertake it because we understand its importance in upholding good governance. These efforts will not go unnoticed, as we will continue implementing our Annual Recognition System to motivate the top-performing institutions. Through this, we are not only rewarding hard work but also fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
These are just some of the enhancements to our APR starting this year, and I am excited for you to learn more about the other salient features of the Circular Letter with our expert colleagues from the BPE Group.
We hope to be able to use the APR not just to assess agencies but to truly improve performance for the nation to sooner meet its “A” credit rating and ultimately achieve our goal of being an upper-middle-income nation with single-digit poverty levels.
As we gear up for the Agency Performance Reviews, may this forum serve as a valuable platform for us to actively participate, share meaningful insights, and appreciate the dedication behind every milestone of every department and agency that have sworn to serve the people.
Let us keep in mind that our goal is not just to rate their outputs but also celebrate achievements, identify gaps, and inspire them to renew their commitment to Bagong Pilipinas—where every peso is spent to genuinely uplift the lives of the Filipino people.
Maraming salamat po! Mabuhay ang BPEG at DBM! Mabuhay ang mga ahensya at kawani ng gobyerno! Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
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