Manila City Council affirms 60-day rule for barangay budget implementation
Published Nov 15, 2025 10:22 pm
The Manila City Council has approved a resolution recognizing that barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan budgets become operative if not acted upon within the 60 day review period mandated by law.
The action is intended to prevent delays in grassroots services across the city’s 896 barangays.
During its thirty fourth regular session on Nov. 13, presided over by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, the council adopted the measure principally authored by Councilor Enriqueta “Erika” Platon and Councilor Juliana Rae “Yanyan” Ibay.
The resolution cites Section 333 of the Local Government Code, which states that appropriation ordinances submitted for review are considered approved “by operation of law” if no action is taken within sixty days.
Councilor Platon said the resolution was coordinated with the City Budget Office in response to concerns that delayed reviews could trigger reenacted budgets and disrupt essential programs.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that barangay and SK programs continue without interruption.
She added that the measure was not meant to assign fault.
“Had that ordinance been allowed to take effect, barangays and SKs today would be submitting budgets in harmony, reviews would be faster, disbursements timelier, and the city budget’s oversight simpler and more consistent,” Platon said.
Ibay concluded with an appeal for unified action.
“May this resolution not just be a legal affirmation but a moral one. A reminder that when local governments work in sync, when we plan together, move together, and act together, the load becomes a little lighter to carry for everyone,” she said.
Councilor Eunice Castro also expressed support for the measure, citing her experience in the SK and barangay service.
She congratulated the authors and addressed barangay officials present during the session.