The 1989 program of government expenditures in perspective

The purpose of this short paper is to provide a broad historical perspective against which to assess the 1989 program of government expenditures. A by-product of thi_ exercise is a presentation of the "revealed differences" as contrasted with professed differences between the government expenditure policies of the Aquino and the Marcos administrations. Specifically, the study will review and qualitatively evaluate: (i) the revenue target and implied fiscal deficit figures, (2) sectoral distribution of government expenditure>, and (3) other budget related issues. The term " total government budget" and "total programmed government expenditures" are used interchangeably in this paper and refer to the sum total of government expenditures covered by (i) the General Appropriations. Act, (2) continuing appropriations and (3) special funds.