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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is proposing a P24-billion budget for 2022, slightly lower than its P25-billion budget for last year.
In a hearing on Wednesday, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña told the House Committee on Appropriations that the slight reduction was mostly in the budget for capital outlay.
“The national expenditures budget which we are proposing for now is P24 billion, which is lower than the 2021 budget. The reduction is mostly in capital outlay,” he said.
Dela Peña told House lawmakers that the DOST originally proposed a P42-billion budget for 2022 before the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). However, the DBM only approved a budget of P24 billion. A number of lawmakers vowed to push for the increase of DOST’s budget considering the cut.
Of the budget approved by the DBM, P18.7 billion will be allotted for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, P4.5 billion is for personnel services, and 1,08 billion is for capital outlays.
Dela Peña said their proposed budget aims to focus on six areas: accelerating generation of technologies and innovations to strengthen the country’s capacity against COVID-19; support transition of micro, small, and medium enterprises to the new normal through upgrading technology; promoting regional technology-based development; nurturing start-ups and technology-based enterprises; strengthen business and service continuity; and leverage on alliances with academe and other partners.
Overall, the proposed national budget for 2022 was at P5.024 trillion—the highest ever in the country’s history—aimed at sustaining the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.