Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22) — The Office of the President is asking for more time to scrutinize around ₱100 billion in “for later release” funds, as lawmakers fear pending projects may end up unimplemented with three months left in the fiscal year.
“We just want to look at it para ma-vet lang nang mabuti [so it can be vetted properly]” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Wednesday at the Senate finance committee’s hearing on the proposed ₱8.18 billion budget of the OP for 2022.
“Just give us time, and heto ipa-prioritize namin ito agad-agad [we will prioritize it immediately],” Medialdea added.
During the hour-long hearing, Senator Nancy Binay recalled an earlier briefing where the Budget department said 30% of the ₱140-billion FLR funds have not been released pending approval from the OP. The money will be reverted to the Treasury if not obligated by year end.
“Binigyan natin ng allocation ito last year as part of the Build, Build, Build program ng pamahalaan pero nakakagulat kasi nga mag-o-October na in a few days then may maririnig tayo na 100 billion worth of projects na alam natin can generate a lot of jobs na kailangan na kailangan natin ngayon pero hanggang ngayon hindi nga nai-implement itong mga programang ito,” Binay said.
[Translation: “We gave it an allocation last year under the Build, Build, Build program of the government but to our surprise, it will be October in a few days, yet we hear about ₱100 billion worth of projects that can generate badly needed jobs but these programs have not been implemented.]
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Michael Ong explained that a vetting process was necessary because these are new budgetary items not included in the 2021 National Expenditure Plan. Still, Binay could not hide her dismay.
“It’s been nine months and hindi pa rin tapos ‘yung vetting process niyo. Nakakabahala lang [and you haven’t completed your vetting process. It’s just disturbing],” Binay said.
The lawmaker said aside from the Department of Public Works and Highways, there are also unreleased funds for medical scholarships.
Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the committee on finance, appealed for the prioritization of these scholarships, as well as other education, health, and infrastructure programs.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Miguel “Migz” Zubiri warned that the OP’s budget may face an uphill battle in the plenary if these issues are not resolved.
“It’s going to be very difficult for me to shepherd the budget with the chairman when there are questions like these that hound us all the time. As a matter of fact, it’s becoming very difficult for us to push things forward because of these questions,” Zubiri said.
Medialdea did not give a timeline on when the funds can be disbursed but assured lawmakers it will be done at the soonest possible time.
The Senate panel approved the OP’s budget within an hour, with a few questions raised. It also agreed to recommend to the plenary the ₱751.17 million budget of the Presidential Management Staff, which provides technical assistance to the President.
