Budget Harmonization Workshop for FY 2026
On the 18th and 19th day of March 2025, the PADS 2026 Program Timeline and Budget Harmonization was held at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place, Quezon City, and was attended by 72 participants from 30 different agencies.
The first day of the workshop was opened by Secretary Oscar F. Valenzuela, who emphasized the importance of reinforcing the initiatives of the PADS Implementing Agencies. He set the tone by underscoring that the programs, projects, and activities (P/A/Ps) included in their implementation plans and budget proposals must align with the administration’s priorities in the anti-drug campaign.
Following the opening remarks by Secretary Valenzuela, Mr. Jethro C. Anaen, Supervising Budget and Management Specialist from the Department of Budget and Management, discussed the Philippine Public Financial Management Cycle. He followed this with a background on Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) and its alignment with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. He explained the PCB process, the BP 206 and 708 forms, their submission through the Online Submission of Budget Proposal System (OSBPS), and the roles of the PCB Focal Persons in the process. His presentation concluded with a discussion of the salient features of the DBM-NEDA Joint Memorandum Circular 2025-1.
The workshop continued with the discussion of DDB Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, CESO I, about the background of the formulation of Implementing and Operational Plans under EO No. 66, s. 2018. He presented the proposed enhancements to the PADS, including a third pillar—Health, Social, and Developmental Services—aligned with the current administration’s direction, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028. Undersecretary Saavedra also introduced the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy – Agency Reporting and Monitoring System, a tool for tracking implementing agencies’ activities.
After highlighting the important roles of different participating agencies in the proposed enhancement of the PADS, Undersecretary Saavedra showed the participants the PADS budget allocation under the PCB from 2020-2025, further emphasizing the support it provides to the agencies in their anti-drug campaigns if utilized effectively. He concluded his discussion by outlining opportunities for improvement, including updating the implementation plans of participating agencies to incorporate strategies from the proposed EPADS and the crafting of BP 206.
The workshop concluded with a closing message from DDB Permanent Member Undersecretary Abad H. Osit, highlighting the importance of resources in the execution of any government program and further emphasizing the relevance of the PCB in the PAPs of the PADS implementing agencies. Undersecretary Osit, on behalf of the DDB, ended the workshop by thanking all representatives of the agencies who were present and participated in the formulation of their respective agencies’ implementation plans and budget proposals.
On 2nd and 3rd day of April 2024, the PADS 2025 Program Timeline and Budget Harmonization was held at the Cocoon Boutique Hotel, Quezon City, and was attended by 48 participants from different agencies.
The event was graced by the DDB Chairman, Secretary Catalino S. Cuy, who emphasized the importance of the active engagement and collaboration of all tasked agencies in the implementation of the priorities under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy.
Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, CESO I, highlighted the proposed improvements to the current Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy with the new administration’s directive to prioritize treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, and after-care. The proposed development to the framework introduces a pillar dedicated to Health, Social, and Developmental Services, together with the existing two-pronged approach aimed at reducing the demand and supply of illegal drugs.
The concerns raised by the participating agencies regarding funding for their programs associated to the PADS were thoroughly addressed and discussed by Secretary Cuy and Undersecretary Saavedra during the open forum. The top level management reiterated that the projects and programs outlined in the agencies’ implementation plans should be aligned with the objectives of the PADS. The importance of prioritizing the implementation of Drug-Free Workplace Policies and Programs was strongly highlighted.
