MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has assured the public that salary increases, pensions, and retirement benefits of government workers will not be delayed or reduced under the 2026 national budget, Malacañang said.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DBM emphasized that salaries, approved increases, and benefits of government employees remain intact, with funds fully allocated in the respective budgets of their agencies.

“Mayroon pong gustong linawin ang DBM. May kumakalat na balita na maaantala o maapektuhan daw ang salary increases at retirement benefits ng mga guro, kawani ng gobyerno at uniformed personnel sa 2026 national budget. Hindi po ito totoo. Walang tinanggal na pondo,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

Castro explained that the funds cited in circulating claims were realigned to the appropriate agencies to allow a more direct, faster, and transparent release of benefits, particularly for uniformed personnel.

“Ang sinasabing PhP24 billion ay hindi binawas o kinansela, inilipat lang ito sa tamang ahensya para sa mas diretso, mas mabilis at mas malinaw na paglabas ng benepisyo lalo na para sa subsistence allowance ng uniformed personnel,” she said.

She stressed that salary increases remain fully funded under the 2026 budget.

“Buong-buo ang sahod at salary increases. Ang salary increases ng kasalukuyang civilian employees at uniformed personnel ay nasa budget ng mga kani-kaniyang ahensya. Walang delay, walang bawas, walang mawawala,” Castro said.

Castro also said that the pensions of uniformed personnel will not be affected.

“Hindi apektado ang pensyon ng uniformed personnel. Mananatiling buo ang pensyon, ang mga bagong magri-retire sa optional retirement ay dadaan pa rin sa umiiral na proseso,” she noted.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the P6.793-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026.

Castro further assured the public that safeguards are in place to address any additional funding requirements, citing allocations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act for the Miscellaneous and Personnel Benefits Fund.

“Kung kailangan naman ng karagdagang pondo para sa mga uniformed personnel na sumasailalim sa optional retirement, meron po tayong nakaantabay na pension and gratuity fund sa GAA,” she said.

“Kung ang mga ito po ay magkulang, mayroon pa rin tayong contingent fund na maaaring matakbuhan. Huwag po tayo magpaninlang, ikalat natin ang katotohanan,” Castro added.