By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Apatang administration has advised the Legislature of lower government allotments for the remaining months of fiscal year 2026.
Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez informed Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Karl King-Nabors that government spending levels from January to Sept. 30 have been adjusted downward from $138.9 million to $134.5 million “to ensure the revised appropriation levels are aligned with revenues and the budget remains balanced.”
In December 2025, Gov. David M. Apatang signed Public Law 24-20, the revised FY 2026 budget, with line-item vetoes. The budget appropriates $138.9 million for government operations and personnel. The original budget he signed in September 2025 had identified $127.7 million available for appropriation.
The executive branch has $31.8 million remaining for the rest of the fiscal year, while the judiciary has a little over $4 million. The legislative branch has $4.5 million, with House members’ allocation down to $1.4 million and the Senate’s allocation at $665,627.
The Office of Management and Budget also reported that each legislator’s monthly allocation from January to September is down to $8,217. In the first fiscal quarter (October–December 2025), House members and senators received $9,899.42.
OMB said the administration is presenting the allotments for the rest of the fiscal year “in accordance with our fiscal responsibilities and commitment to transparency” following the enactment of the revised budget.
OMB said the proportionate reduction to the allotments excludes constitutional salaries and a portion of the Public School System’s allocation, thereby ensuring that the 25% constitutional mandate remains intact. This resulted in a proportionate reduction of 0.03285591 across all branches, departments, and agencies included in the budget act, consistent with the projected change in revenue.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
