Sixteen government agencies and state-run schools have been flagged for weak performance in the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) 2024 Agency Performance Review, with one institution earning a “Poor” rating.
The review, conducted under the Budget ng Bayan Monitor, assessed 308 national departments, bureaus, and state universities and colleges based on budget utilization, project delivery, and the timeliness and quality of reports.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the results showed that 95 percent of agencies fared well, receiving ratings of Outstanding, Very Satisfactory, or Satisfactory. However, 15 agencies were graded Unsatisfactory and one received a Poor rating.
Romblon State University scored the lowest with 1.85 out of 5, placing it in the Poor category. Other agencies deemed Unsatisfactory included the Department of Finance (Office of the Secretary), Department of Transportation, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Customs, Mindanao Development Authority, National Nutrition Council, and Commission on Higher Education. Several universities also landed in the same bracket, among them the Philippine State College of Aeronautics, Rizal Technological University, Technological University of the Philippines, Apayao State College, Marinduque State College, Bicol University, and Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology.
Pangandaman admitted that various issues contributed to the low ratings, particularly procurement delays and weak planning. “Help these agencies. Tingnan natin saan ba nagkamali?… Baka sa pagpaplano pa lang ng mga proyekto at programa na pinoprose niyo, eh meron na mali doon,” she said.
While the review carries no direct sanctions, agencies that fail to improve could face tighter scrutiny in budget allocations for the next fiscal year.
In contrast, 14 agencies earned perfect scores and were recognized as Outstanding. Among them were the Civil Service Commission, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Public Attorney’s Office, Philippine Information Agency, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and several state universities including Biliran Province State University and President Ramon Magsaysay University.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who joined the awarding ceremony, stressed that the exercise was not just about numbers but about driving government units toward higher standards. “Beyond the scores, the real value lies in the insights we gained, lessons on planning, improved our execution, and set more realistic goals, yet ambitious goals,” he said.
