Government employees could soon expect faster payment of salary and benefit deficiencies as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) removes the need for agencies to file a separate funding request for covered personnel expenses.

Under DBM Circular Letter No. 2026-10 signed by acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon on Sept. 30, the department can identify funding shortages using personnel and financial records that government agencies already regularly submit.

Instead of waiting for another request, DBM will check agencies’ updated plantilla records and financial reports, determine how much is needed, and facilitate the release of funds.

“Hindi na kailangan pang i-request. Kailangan lang i-update ng ahensya ‘yung master list na tinatawag namin ang kanilang plantilla positions (There is no need to submit a request. The agency simply needs to update the master list, what we refer to as their plantilla positions),” de Leon said in a statement Monday.

“At pag nakita namin na may kulang, kahit walang request, kailangan i-download namin sa kanila ‘yung kakulangan ng pambayad ng pondo (And if we notice a shortfall, we need to release the necessary funds to cover the deficit, even without a formal request).”

The policy covers national government agencies with permanent civilian positions recorded in DBM’s online personnel system.

Among the expenses covered are salaries and step increases, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance, uniform and clothing allowance, mid-year and year-end bonuses, cash gift, medical allowance, Productivity Enhancement Incentive, representation and transportation allowances, and government contributions to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pag-IBIG Fund, Employees Compensation and retirement insurance.

Agencies are required to update their plantilla records every last week of the month. The DBM will then use these updated records, together with financial reports, to determine whether additional funds are needed.

The budget agency said the streamlined process does not cover funding needs resulting from hiring, promotion, reclassification and other personnel actions made after Sept. 30, 2026. It said these will still require a separate request for its review.

DBM said the new process is intended to cut paperwork and allow funding gaps to be addressed without waiting for another round of agency requests. (PNA)