The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) said it approved P20.9 billion in tax subsidies for various government institutions to improve the accessibility and efficiency of public services for Filipinos.
A tax subsidy means the national government covers taxes and duties that public institutions would otherwise pay. This allows them to focus resources on delivering better, more efficient public services.
“This move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to delivering more responsive public services,” Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.
“These tax subsidies will help accelerate and expand the services of government agencies for the people,” said Recto, who is also the FIRB chairman.
By law, the FIRB is authorized to approve tax subsidy applications from government-owned and controlled corporations, government instrumentalities, commissaries and state universities and colleges. This supports public institutions in fulfilling their missions without the burden of tax obligations.
The FIRB said that as of May 21, 2025, its Technical Committee (TC) had approved 10 applications with a total tax subsidy of P20.9 billion for the years 2024 and 2025
All agencies whose applications were approved showed a 100-percent utilization rate on their tax subsidies based on the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), it said.
For 2024, tax subsidies were granted to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) worth P7.5 billion; the National Power Corp., P6 billion; Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., P4.5 billion; and National Transmission Commission (TransCo), P2 billion.
Also included were the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and Exchange Service (AFPCES), P305 million; the Bureau of the Treasury, P223 million; and the UP National Institute of Physics, P6.6 million.
For 2025, tax subsidies were granted to the BTR, P223.2 million and the AFPCES, P58.5 million.
