The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has identified P238 billion in available funding to support the government’s response to the ongoing global oil crisis, while mandating a 20 percent reduction in non-essential government spending to create additional fiscal space.
Speaking before the House Committee on Ways and Means on April 8, 2026, DBM Secretary Rolando “Rolly” U. Toledo emphasized the need for disciplined and targeted fiscal action amid rising fuel costs.
“As far as our response to this crisis is concerned, we have around P238 billion from available appropriations—from the 2026 GAA, and both automatic and continuing appropriations,” Secretary Toledo said. “The government’s priority is to ensure that every peso is directed to sectors most affected.”
The funding pool—sourced from the 2026 General Appropriations Act, continuing appropriations, and automatic appropriations—will support key interventions, including fuel subsidies for the transport sector, assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, healthcare support, and other targeted social protection programs.
Among the initial measures already underway are P2.5 billion in fuel subsidies for transport operators and an additional P1 billion for service contracting.
Secretary Toledo underscored that government support will remain focused and deliberate.
“In times like this, targeted subsidies are the most prudent approach—ensuring that limited resources reach those who need them most, without compromising fiscal stability,” he said.
Support is also being extended through repatriation programs of the Department of Migrant Workers, including assistance provided through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, alongside employment support under the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD program, as well as the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks of the Department of Agriculture.
At the same time, the DBM is implementing strict efficiency measures across national government agencies by reducing non-essential Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). These include limiting official travel to essential activities, maximizing virtual engagements, strengthening energy conservation efforts, and streamlining operational expenditures.
These measures are expected to generate savings ranging from P12.8 billion to P25.6 billion from March to December 2026, depending on the level of compliance across agencies.
Secretary Toledo assured that essential and frontline services, including education, health, and social protection, will remain fully protected and exempt from the reductions.
“The instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is to protect the Filipino people first. Even as we tighten spending, we will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted and that assistance reaches those who need it most,” he said.
The DBM continues to work closely with implementing agencies to ensure the timely and effective delivery of interventions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to cushion the impact of rising global oil prices on Filipino households.
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DBM, sinabing may nakahandang P238B para sa oil crisis response; 20% na bawas sa non-essential spending, makakatulong para mapondohan ang targeted aid sa mga Pilipino
Naglaan ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM), sa utos ni Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ng humigit-kumulang P238 bilyon na pondo para tugunan ang epekto ng patuloy na global oil crisis, kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng 20% bawas sa non-essential government spending upang makalikom pa ng dagdag na pondo para sa tulong.
Sa pagharap sa House Committee on Ways and Means noong April 8, 2026, binigyang-diin ni DBM Secretary Rolando “Rolly” U. Toledo ang kahalagahan ng maingat at tamang paggamit ng pondo lalo na sa panahon ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.
“Aabot sa P238 bilyon ang maaari nating gamitin mula sa available appropriations—mula sa 2026 GAA, kasama na ang automatic at continuing appropriations,” ani Secretary Toledo. “Ang mahalaga, mapunta ang bawat piso sa mga sektor na pinakaapektado.”
Ang pondong ito—na galing sa 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), continuing appropriations, at automatic appropriations—ay gagamitin para sa mga programang direktang makakatulong sa mga Pilipino. Kabilang dito ang fuel subsidies para sa transport sector, tulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, suporta sa kalusugan, at iba pang social protection programs.
Sa mga inisyal na hakbang, naglaan ang pamahalaan ng P2.5 bilyon para sa fuel subsidies ng mga transport operator at karagdagang P1 bilyon para sa service contracting.
Ayon kay Secretary Toledo, mahalaga na ang tulong ng gobyerno ay malinaw ang target at nakatuon sa mga talagang nangangailangan.
“Sa ganitong sitwasyon, mas mainam ang targeted subsidies—para siguradong makarating ang limitadong pondo sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan, habang napapanatili ang maayos na pamamahala ng pondo,” dagdag niya.
May tulong din para sa mga OFW sa pamamagitan ng repatriation programs ng Department of Migrant Workers, kasama ang suporta ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Mayroon ding employment support sa ilalim ng TUPAD program ng Department of Labor and Employment, at tulong para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa ilalim ng Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks ng Department of Agriculture.
Kasabay nito, nagpapatupad ang DBM ng mga hakbang para makatipid ang pamahalaan. Kabilang dito ang pagbawas sa non-essential MOOE ng mga ahensya, tulad ng paglimita sa mga biyahe na hindi kailangan, mas paggamit ng online engagements, pagtitipid sa kuryente, at pag-aayos ng ibang gastusin ng gobyerno.
Inaasahang makakaipon ang gobyerno ng humigit-kumulang P12.8 bilyon hanggang P25.6 bilyon mula March hanggang December 2026, depende sa pagsunod ng mga ahensya.
Tiniyak ni Secretary Toledo na hindi maaapektuhan ang mahahalagang serbisyo tulad ng edukasyon, kalusugan, at social protection, at mananatiling protektado ang mga ito.
“Maliwanag ang utos ng Pangulo—unahin at protektahan ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Kahit nagtitipid ang gobyerno, sisiguraduhin natin na tuloy-tuloy ang mahahalagang serbisyo at makakarating ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” ani niya.
Patuloy ang pakikipagtulungan ng DBM sa iba’t ibang ahensya upang masigurong mabilis at maayos na naipapahatid ang mga tulong, bilang bahagi ng pangako ng pamahalaan na maibsan ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.
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