MANILA: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for approving the PHP6.32-trillion national budget, with the department receiving a significant allocation of PHP279.1 billion for the 2025 General Appropriations Act. The DILG has committed to utilizing this budget with prudence to support national development goals.

According to Philippines News Agency, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla affirmed the department's commitment to using the funds responsibly to enhance local governance, promote peace and order, and improve public safety. The allocation places the DILG as the department with the fourth-highest budget, reflecting the administration's focus on fostering resilient and inclusive communities.

In a related development, the DILG has closed four trust fund accounts at the Landbank of the Philippines, amounting to over PHP12.98 million. The closure follows recommendations from the Commission on Audit (COA), which flagged the accounts as having no legal basis. The accounts were originally established to facilitate the release of funds for various programs and projects from other national government agencies.

The department had previously closed two of these accounts, the PHP1.73-million RO IX Trust Regular Account and the DILG-NCR Local Government Academy Special Project Account, which held PHP111,009.42. The closing process is underway for the remaining accounts, including the PHP1.116-million DILG-NCR Special Project Account and the PHP10.025-million DILG Central Office Trust Account. The DILG has already returned unused funds amounting to PHP2.363 million to the source agency and allocated PHP5.834 million from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Fire Protection - Interagency Task Force.

Remaining funds, such as the PHP199,627.90 balance under the BFP-IATF Fund, will be used for outstanding claims, with any surplus to be remitted to the Bureau of Treasury by year-end. The DILG is working with the Bureau of Treasury to establish a Modified Disbursement System Trust Account under Landbank, which is expected to be operational by January 2025, ensuring more efficient fund management and transfers in the future.