Palace to push UPLIFT bill on gov’t savings, funding use

Malacañang said Tuesday it will propose to Congress the United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Bill, which seeks to streamline the use of government savings, unreleased appropriations, and unobligated allotments for priority programs.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the measure was tackled in a recent UPLIFT committee meeting aimed at speeding up funding for key projects.

“Napag-usapan sa UPLIFT committee meeting ang balak gawing batas na UPLIFT Bill. Layunin nito, una, alisin ang dalawang taong pagbabawal sa pagsasama sa panukalang budget ng mga item na idineklarang ipon o savings,” Castro said.

She added the bill would also provide a clearer list of programs and projects eligible for funding, and allow the use of unspent allocations from the FY 2025 and FY 2026 budgets.

“Pangalawa, magbibigay ito ng listahan ng mga programs, activities and projects na maaaring pondohan. At pangatlo, bibigyan ng kakayahan ang pamahalaan na magamit ang unreleased appropriations at unobligated allotment mula sa FY 2025 at FY 2026 GAA,” she said.

Castro said the proposal is urgent, citing current economic and geopolitical conditions.

The bill is tied to Executive Order No. 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency and created the UPLIFT framework to support energy stability, essential services, and economic continuity amid tensions in the Middle East.IMT