Pangandaman Pledges Support to Streamline Hajj Fund for Filipino Muslim Pilgrims
During the briefing of the Committee on Appropriations for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 proposed budget at the House of Representatives on Monday, August 5, 2024, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman expressed her commitment to resolving several challenges faced by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) in managing the collection and disbursement of funds for the Hajj Pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Lanao del Norte 1st District Congressman Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo raised concerns about the difficulties the NCMF encounters in adhering to government processes while efficiently organizing the Hajj. He suggested that instead of the NCMF Secretary constantly seeking exemptions, special provisions could be included in the NCMF budget to prevent delays in payments for the annual Hajj for Filipino Muslims.
“We have seen that there might be a little bit of a problem with the NCMF properly implementing the Hajj if they followed all government processes to the dot. This is a manifestation requesting that the DOF (Department of Finance), DBM, and when the time comes, COA (Commission on Audit), will hopefully support the idea of instead the NCMF Secretary always asking for exemptions, perhaps we can just include it in the special provisions of the NCMF budget so that there will be no threat of delay of payments for the conduct of the annual Hajj for the Filipino Muslims,” urged Congressman Dimaporo.
In response, Secretary Pangandaman announced a significant change in the management of Hajj funds, stating that trust receipts have been converted into a Special Hajj Fund as provided under RA 9997. “The special provision po under the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos about the trust receipts, binago na po namin siya.
Special Hajj Fund na po siya as provided under RA (Republic Act) 9997 cash balances of affirmation fund. Pwede na po nila magamit ‘yung fund nila. Binago na po namin yung nature,” explained the Budget Secretary. Additionally, Secretary Pangandaman mentioned her recent meeting with the NCMF Secretary to discuss improving procurement processes.
“I met him two weeks ago and told him that we will sit down together with the GPPB (Government Procurement Policy Board) to streamline procurement. Early processing is needed to secure suppliers for the upcoming Hajj. By October this year, they need to start identifying possible suppliers,” added Secretary Mina.
The DBM’s efforts aim to expedite the implementation and payment processes for the Hajj pilgrimage so that Filipino Muslim pilgrims can perform this important religious duty without unnecessary delays. “Ang budget po natin ay sa 2025 pa. Tutulungan po namin sila [NCMF] do’n para po mas mabilis ‘yung implementation and payments,” the DBM Secretary ended. In turn, the Lanao District representative expressed gratitude to Secretary Pangandaman for her efforts in ensuring the success of the Hajj Pilgrimage.
The proposed inclusion of special provisions in the NCMF budget and the DBM’s proactive measures signify an important step toward improving the administrative efficiency of the Hajj pilgrimage, reflecting the government’s dedication to supporting the religious needs of Muslim Filipinos under the Bagong Pilipinas. ###
Pangandaman approves release of addt’l P5 billion to fully cover 4Ps grants in FY 2023
For the additional funding of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a vital initiative designed to help reduce poverty and support low-income families across the Philippines, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman approved the release of P5 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Makakatulong po ito para maibsan ang epekto ng inflation sa ating mga kababayan. The DBM will do its part to streamline budget processes so that our citizens benefit from faster and more efficient delivery of essential services such as our 4Ps,” Secretary Mina expressed.
The approved funds, which will be sourced from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Continuing Appropriations (Republic Act No. 11936), will be used to cover the FY 2023 4Ps grants in arrears resulting to the deactivation/suspension of 4Ps beneficiaries to around 703,888 households. Secretary Pangandaman emphasized the significance of this approval, stating, “Through this allocation, the DSWD can continue its critical work without interruption, providing much-needed assistance to our most vulnerable citizens.
” In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reported that over 420,000 households have graduated from the 4Ps or been assessed as self-sufficient since his previous SONA. “With a noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the 4Ps has not only consistently accomplished its annual target, it has also proven its efficacy over the years,” said the President.
A cornerstone of the Philippine government’s social protection strategy, 4Ps offers conditional cash transfers to poor households to improve health, nutrition, and education outcomes. Additional funding will strengthen these efforts, allowing the initiative to sustain operations and reach even more families. The 4Ps also aligns with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, which envisions a future where every Filipino in need receives the support they deserve. ###
Statement of Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman on the Q2 GDP Growth
It feels like we won another gold medal for the Philippines! We are very happy with the good news about the country’s GDP accelerating at 6.3 percent GDP growth for the second quarter of 2024. This is a big leap from our 5.7 percent growth in the first quarter. We welcome Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest report on the country’s GDP, which is even higher than the 5.8 percent projected growth.
Our second quarter GDP growth also placed well within the DBCC’s 6-7 percent target for the year. The PSA also attributed the expansion to the Government’s Final Consumption Expenditure of 10.7 percent. This is especially good news as Congress begins the deliberations on our proposed FY 2025 National Budget because it proves that our strategic prioritization in the budget effectively implements our Agenda for Prosperity.
As emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the proposed National Budget for the upcoming year “was crafted with utmost care, diligence, and meticulous attention.” Thus, I renew my call to all government agencies to ensure the judicious allocation and spending of resources so that we can unlock our full potential toward lasting economic prosperity that is felt by all Filipinos.
Rest assured, we are focused on pursuing job-creating growth and poverty-reducing growth, and we are inspired to work even harder toward our inclusive economic transformation and sustainable growth. #BagongPilipinas #DBM #UsapangBudgetNatin #Economy
