Implement budget interventions

A part of the 2009 budget is set aside for fiscal stimulus. It gives priority to infrastructure, agriculture, social protection, education and health. These are key public services that will shelter the people and economy from the global economic turmoil and provide the foundation for greater competitiveness in the long run. The executive branch has proposed to Congress significant increases in the budget of departments that implement projects in these sectors.

Government will maximize the personal services (PS) budget by making it more responsive in a crisis environment, i.e. spending more to improve public order and minimize health risks. More teachers, policemen, soldiers, doctors and nurses will be hired in 2009.

Allocation for maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOE) will also be maximized by:

• Stepping up repair and rehabilitation of government buildings;
• Fast-tracking purchases of supplies and equipment like patrol cars and ambulances
• Continue support to the agriculture sector via the PhP40 billion (US$851 million) FIELDS program. (For more information on FIELDS, contact the Department of Agriculture.)

The Department of Budget and Management spearheads the unbundling of the productive component of the MOOE.

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