Poe seeks civil society help to track unused budget funds

MANILA — Rep. Brian Poe has urged civil society budget monitors to assist in identifying government agencies and programs sitting on unused appropriations, as lawmakers work through proposed budget realignments for the coming fiscal year.

Poe made the request during discussions on the 2027 national budget, according to a statement released Tuesday. The congressman emphasized the importance of scrutinizing potential fund sources for proposed budget shifts to ensure the House of Representatives selects appropriate programs for reallocation.

The appeal reflects growing attention to budget efficiency and fiscal accountability as the government prepares its spending plan. By engaging civil society organizations known for tracking public expenditures, Poe's initiative aims to ensure that unused or underutilized funds are redirected toward priority projects rather than remaining dormant in agency accounts.

Budget realignments have become a regular feature of Philippine legislative processes, allowing Congress to shift funds between programs based on changing priorities and implementation capacity. Civil society participation in identifying idle funds could strengthen transparency in how such reallocations are determined.