AFP operating units get funds from major services

This is with reference to Ramon Tulfo’s column titled “P-Noy doesn’t listen to his advisers.” (Inquirer, 10/11/11)

I wish to correct the impression that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releases funds for maintenance and other operating expenses directly to military operating units in the field. We do not. Rather, we currently release these funds to the major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)—i.e., the General Headquarters, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force. Thereafter, the major services transfer funds to their field operating units.

In fact, the DBM releases the allotment comprehensively at the beginning of the year. The corresponding cash allocation is likewise released comprehensively subject to the submission by the agency of a monthly cash program. Again, the AFP major services are responsible for transferring the cash allocation to their respective field operating units.

—FLORENCIO B. ABAD,

secretary,

Department of Budget and Management