Manila, Sept. 18 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asked the Senate to consider PHP512.5 million in additional funding for cybersecurity, buildings, employee health insurance and Asia-Pacific operations that were left out of its proposed 2027 budget.

During the Senate hearing Friday, DFA Policy Planning and Coordination Assistant Secretary Robespierre Bolivar identified four items on the agency's budget "wish list" -- PHP300 million for the DFA building; PHP200 million to enhance cybersecurity capabilities; PHP6.5 million for health insurance coverage of Foreign Service Institute personnel; and PHP6 million in additional maintenance and other operating expenses for the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs.

"Most of these we just...