Manila, Oct. 14 -- Malacanang on Tuesday underscored the importance of unprogrammed appropriations (UAs), as calamity funds run low.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro allayed some lawmakers' concerns over the possibility that UAs could be used as a "pork barrel" or "magic fund."

"Sa palagay po at sa tingin ng pamahalaan, lalung lalo na po ng DBM [Department of Budget and Management], sinasabi po natin, ang budget lalung-lalo na sa unprogrammed appropriations ay kinakailangan po, lalung lalo na po ito (The government, especially the DBM, believes that the budget -particularly the unprogrammed appropriations- is necessary, now more than ever)," Castro said.

"Hindi po ba nagkakaroon tayo ng sinasabi nating magkakaroo...