State agencies’ cash usage remains at 94%

As of end-October

MANILA, Philippines — The government increased its releases of cash allocations, but spending usage of state agencies remained unchanged as of end-October, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

Based on DBM data, notices of cash allocation (NCAs) rose by 12.5 percent to P4.05 trillion as of end-October from P3.6 trillion a year ago.

Despite the increase, government agencies recorded the same utilization rate as last year at 94 percent.

Of the total releases, some P252.09 billion was unused as of end-October.

NCAs are disbursement orders by the DBM to government banks servicing the release of funds to agencies. State agencies are expected to use the NCAs to pay for the cash requirements of their programs and projects.

A higher utilization ratio indicates greater capacity of agencies to implement their programs and projects.

Around 75.6 percent of NCA releases, totaling P3.06 trillion, was secured by line departments, while the remaining P995.09 billion was directed to other agencies, particularly state-run firms and local governments.

By sector, other agencies used up 97 percent of their allocation to cover the internal revenue allotment, special shares and other transfers for LGUs.

Line departments, on the other hand, registered a 10-month utilization rate of 93 percent or P2.83 trillion for the NCAs they received as of end-October.

By departments, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) obtained the highest NCAs worth P834.94 billion and P559.72 billion, respectively, in the 10-month period.

Data showed that the DPWH recorded a lower utilization rate of 94 percent (from 95 percent a year ago) while DepEd used up 93 percent, down from last year’s 94 percent.

Among the agencies, only the Commission on Human Rights recorded a 100-percent utilization rate.

Other agencies that posted above 95 percent usage rate include the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the judiciary, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit and Commission on Elections.