Malacañang on Thursday said government savings will be used to support the administration’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) Program.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has so far identified PHP22.79 billion in government savings following the issuance of National Budget Circular Nos. 602 and 603.

Castro said the budget circulars were issued to direct government agencies to identify and declare available savings that may be redirected to priority government programs.

“Pero ang priority po dito ay ang UPLIFT at ang kabuhayan po at mga pagtulong sa ating mga magsasaka (The priority here is UPLIFT, as well as livelihood assistance and support for our farmers),” she told Palace reporters.

Castro said the administration intends to channel the funds primarily to UPLIFT interventions aimed at assisting vulnerable sectors, including the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East crisis.

“Kasama na rin po dito ang pagprotekta sa ating mga pamilyang Pilipino, workers, commuters at mga OFWs na nakaranas po ng medyo hindi magandang sitwasyon dahil dulot po ng krisis sa Middle East (This also includes protecting Filipino families, workers, commuters, and OFWs who have experienced difficult circumstances due to the crisis in the Middle East),” she said.

Castro said PHP12.37 billion from the savings has already been released to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for assistance to families in need.

She added that the remaining savings will continue to support UPLIFT interventions, including programs of the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Transportation, and Department of Energy.

She noted that these interventions are expected to assist Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Asked whether the government would still need a supplemental budget to finance its response to the Middle East crisis or possible El Niño-related measures, Castro said there is currently no indication that existing funds are insufficient.

“Sa ngayon po ay ito iyong savings at hindi pa po naibibigay sa atin ang impormasyon kung kulang na iyong budget. So, so far ay hindi natin masasabing kulang (For now, these are the available savings, and we have not yet received information that the budget is insufficient. So far, we cannot say that there is a shortage),” Castro said.

The DBM earlier allotted PHP12.375 billion for the assistance package under the UPLIFT Program, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement to expand aid to help cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on Filipino families. (PNA)