THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has proposed a P195,737,552,000 budget for 2024.

The bulk of the budget will be for the salary and other benefits of the 228,000 members of the organization, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

PNP’s budget for 2023 is P193,239,791.

The proposed budget excludes the Retirement Life Insurance Premium (RLIP) amounting to P342,000,000 for the payment of government shares of PNP Non-Uniformed Personnel.

The 2024 budget is divided into three expense classes, led by the Personnel Services that is equivalent to 87 percent (P171,343,518,000).

The Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which accounts for the 10 percent (P19,411,476,000).

The remaining 3 percent is for capital outlays (P4,982,558,000).

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda told the Journal Group that there are also some congressmen who have supported calls to increase the PNP budget.

The additional funds would be very helpful in improving the police force’s ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities.

“I am happy to report that there are some congressmen who have manifested their plan to increase the PNP budget as they are convinced that the PNP is doing well.

To some extent, it is a gesture which shows that we at the PNP are being respected by our lawmakers,” the top cop said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government has proposed a P259.5-billion budget for 2024.

The DILG supervises the PNP, the Bureau of Jail Management and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

In 2023, the DILG set a good budget utilization rate as it disbursed P139.366 billion out of the P141.2 billion of its obligations.

At the budget hearing at the House of Representatives, DLG Sec. Benhur Abalos explained that out of the P141.206 billion fund, P123.508-billion went to the DILG’s personnel services, including all its attached agencies; P15.642 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and P2.055-billion for capital outlay, as of June 30, 2023.

DILG Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership Ester Aldana explained that the department proposed a P7 billion budget for capital outlay in their proposed 2024 budget.

She said that the budget will be allocated for information and technology equipment under the approved Information Systems Strategic Plan; construction of DILG Regional Offices in Region IV-B, VI, and II, fire stations, jail facilities, police stations, classrooms and dormitories; purchase of furniture in the newly completed DILG Regional and Field Offices; purchase of motor vehicles and procurement of firetrucks.

The proposed National Budget for 2025 is set at P5.768 trillion, which is equivalent to 21.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and is 9.5 percent higher than this year’s P5.268 trillion budget.

According to the Department of Budget and Management, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. has approved the P5.768 trillion proposed 2024 budget.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the NEP for 2024 was created with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and the eight-point socio-economic agenda in mind.

According to the DBM, the NEP will serve as the government’s spending plan for each year and is deliberated in both chambers of Congress.

Once approved, the program is signed into law and will be known as the General Appropriations Act of 2024.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin T. Romualdez has assured President Marcos that the House of Representatives would approve the proposed PHP5.768-trillion 2024 national budget before the October congressional break.

“Let me assure everyone that the House of the People understands well the need to pass the national budget on time.

The national budget is crucial in maintaining economic stability, sustaining the country’s growth trajectory and facilitating the seamless implementation of government programs and projects.

As such, it demands the House’s utmost attention and commitment,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Sisiguruhin namin dito sa Kongreso na lahat ng buwis na ibinayad ng ating mamamayan ay maibabalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at proyekto ng gobyerno.

Bawat pisong naidagdag sa kaban ng bayan, mapapakinabangan ng taumbayan,” Speaker Romualdez said.