Manila: The Philippine National Police's (PNP) information technology (IT) program will see a restoration of its original funding after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a reversion of budget cuts and the removal of additional intelligence funds allocated to the police force.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed during a Palace press briefing that various PNP IT projects had faced significant budget cuts in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). These projects included the Enhancement of the National Police Clearance System, which experienced a budget reduction from PHP600 million in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to PHP232 million; the Establishment of the Safe Camp Security System, cut from PHP472 million to PHP161 million; and the PNP Drug-Related Data Integration and Generation System, whose funding was slashed from PHP533 million to PHP196 million.

Remulla noted that while these essential IT programs were underfunded, nearly PHP1 billion was allocated for purchasing All-Terrain Amphibious Vehicles for the Bicol Region, and an additional PHP500 million was added to the PNP's intelligence fund. In response, President Marcos directed Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to revert the PNP's IT program budget to its original amount and eliminate the PHP500 million allocated to the intelligence fund.

Remulla stated, "As instructed by the President to our Budget Secretary, the budget for IT will be reverted, and the PHP500-million intelligence fund in the GAA will be removed. So return to original budget." The reversion of the budget cuts and the removal of the intelligence fund will free up funds, which will be reallocated to support the integration and enhancement of the 911 emergency hotline system, Remulla added.

The DILG chief emphasized that the added intelligence fund for the PNP was not discussed during the budget deliberations in Congress. He commented, "That was just added in, and we were also wondering. That's why that will be removed."