Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have signed a joint memorandum circular to facilitate the release of PHP700 million in financial assistance for local government projects under the 2025 Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB) Program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fund will benefit more than 40 local government units (LGUs) nationwide. The announcement was made by the DBM in a Facebook post following the signing of the joint memorandum circular. Of the total beneficiaries, 35 LGUs will focus on projects to improve access to safe and resilient water supply and sanitation services. Additionally, nine disaster-prone LGUs are set to receive support for the construction of climate-smart evacuation centers.

DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will Wong and DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan formalized the agreement. Local chief executives from Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, and Surigao del Sur also took the opportunity to present best practices on utilizing SAFPB-funded projects in their respective communities.

The program is among the government's key efforts to enhance participatory budgeting and ensure the effective delivery of basic services at the local level.