Marcos tells gov’t officials: Honor taxpayers, spend budget wisely

“We are working for the people, not for ourselves.”

This was the reminder of President Marcos to his fellow government officials as he signed the 2024 national budget, telling them to honor the taxpayers who toiled to make the budget possible.

President Marcos signed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024 in a ceremony in Malacañan on Wednesday, Dec. 20, a few days before the year ended.

In his speech, Marcos said the government has included the means to boost the country’s physical and human capital. He, however, reminded officials not to be reckless.

“We are curtailed by what we can collect, by what our tax coffers contain. We can be reckless— take the easy path, borrow, and let our children pick today’s tab up tomorrow. But debt is not the kind of inheritance that we want those who will come after us,” he said.

“Good fiscal stewardship imposes upon us discipline not to be led into the temptation of bloating what we owe. Good government dictates upon us the duty to spend the appropriations we have cobbled together for the correct purposes, the right way, on time, and on budget,” he added.

The Chief Executive likewise asked officials to ensure the timely implementation of projects while staying within the allotted appropriation.

“Underspending and overspending that disregards legal guardrails are two sides of the same coin,” Marcos said.

“Implementation delayed and illegal deviations inflict the same havoc of denying the people of the progress and development that they deserve,” he added.

Ultimately, President Marcos reminded his fellow government officials to prioritize the people and the country.

“So with this reminder comes the most important budget commandment that we all must heed: We are working for the people, not for ourselves. We are working for the country, not for ourselves,” he said.

“Honor the taxpayers who make the budget possible, and, in doing so, we will bring closer to the brighter tomorrow that we aspire— for Bagong Pilipinas that we all envision for our people,” he added.

According to Malacañan, the 2024 National Budget worth P5.768 trillion equals 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is 9.5 percent higher than last year.