Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) — A lawmaker is pushing for higher budget for the Southern Philippines Development Authority to be able to implement its programs aiming to develop regions in Mindanao.
During the plenary deliberation on the proposed 2021 budget of the SPDA on Friday, Zamboanga Rep. Manuel Dalipe said the agency’s budget for the next fiscal year is at ₱76 million, down from ₱156 million this year.
He noted that bulk of which will be used to pay services at ₱46 million.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers questioned this, saying that this defeats the purpose of the authority, which is to promote development in the Southern Philippines, or the whole of Mindanao.
“While the intention of the creation of the authority is relevant, very timely… makatutulong ng malaki sa (will give big help in) Mindanao, it seems that their hands will be tied with a measly budget of ₱76 million,” he said.
Barbers said that since the creation of the authority, they have not felt its presence still even in his province. To address this, he said one option would be increasing the budget of SPDA in order to cover all areas in Mindanao.
Dalipe said originally proposed ₱13 billion to be able to cover the whole Mindanao for its programs, but many items were rejected by the Department of Budget and Management.
He also agreed that in order for SPDA’s presence to be felt, enough budget must be given to it.
Dalipe also said that the government corporation has properties where it earns income from, however, government support is still needed until these are fully developed.
SPDA was created through Presidential Decree no. 690 dated April 22, 1975, as amended by PD 1703 dated July 24, 1980. The agency covers all regions in Mindanao to promote development through initiating business projects in various sectors, and to boost investments in any field that would further boost economic development in the region.
