President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to restore the Philippine National Police's (PNP) original budget for its priority projects, which had been subjected to budget cuts.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla highlighted that several PNP information technology (IT) projects faced significant budget cuts in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The projects in question include the Enhancement of the National Police Clearance System, which experienced a budget cut from PHP600 million in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to PHP232 million.
Additionally, the Establishment of the Safe Camp Security System saw its budget reduced from PHP472 million to PHP161 million, while the PNP Drug-Related Data Integration and Generation System experienced a funding cut from PHP533 million to PHP196 million.
Secretary Remulla further pointed out that nearly PHP1 billion was allocated for the purchase of All-Terrain Amphibious Rescue Vehicles for the Bicol Region, with an additional PHP500 million added to the PNP's intelligence fund.
"As instructed by the President sa ating Budget Secretary [Amenah Pangandaman], ire-revert ang budget ng IT at tatanggalin yung additional PHP500 million intelligence fund na nilagay sa GAA," said Remulla.
Furthermore, the funds freed up from the reversion and removal of certain allocations will be redirected to support the integration and enhancement of the 911 emergency hotline system.
