THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has moved up the deadline for government agencies to request additional funding authority, as it seeks to maximize the use of available funds before the end of the year.
In Circular Letter 2026-13, the DBM said requests for additional obligational and disbursement authorities, as well as similar approvals and authorizations, must be submitted by Nov. 3 from the previous Nov. 16.
Requests received beyond the cut-off will be deferred for consideration in 2027, the department said.
“The earlier submission deadline is intended for the timely assessment and prioritization of budgetary requests,” Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said in the circular.
The government has set a P6.793-trillion budget this year and De Leon said that 97.1 percent of the national government’s total expenditure program for 2026 had already been released as of Oct. 15.
The revised deadline replaces the Nov. 16 cut-off previously prescribed under Item 3.17.1 of National Budget Circular 599, dated Jan. 5, 2026.
De Leon directed all heads of departments and agencies, state universities and colleges, other national government offices, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local government units receiving national government budgetary support to comply with the new schedule.
Budget officers, heads of accounting units and other concerned officials are likewise covered by the directive.
“Agencies shall ensure that their requests are complete and in order, supported with documentary requirements as prescribed in the DBM Citizen’s Charter and submitted within the deadline through the DBM Central Records Division,” De Leon said.
Applications must be submitted through the department’s Central Records Division within the prescribed period.
However, the DBM clarified that certain mandatory and urgent requests would remain exempt from the Nov. 3 cut-off, subject to the availability of funds.
These include additional personnel services requirements, such as the government’s share of retirement and life insurance premium contributions, as well as terminal leave benefits of national government personnel devolved to local government units, in accordance with National Budget Circulars 429 and 429-A.
Requests for the issuance of noncash availment authorities, which are necessary to enable the recording of loan disbursements, are also exempted.
The exemption likewise covers requests arising from extraordinary or prevailing circumstances that require an immediate government response.
