Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 2) — The new sovereign wealth fund is expected to ease pressure in financing big-ticket projects by 2025, the budget chief said Wednesday.
In a briefing, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said it is “possible” that the Maharlika Investment Fund would help finance some of the 194 priority infrastructure projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.Pangandaman said the projects are spread from 2023 to 2028, or the term of the Marcos administration.“Wala pa po dito, pero eventually po, 2025, 2026, and 2027 national budget, makikita niyo po na yung ibang major infrastructure projects ay hindi na popondahan ng national government,” she said.[Translation: It’s not here yet, but eventually, in the 2025, 2026, and 2027 national budgets, you will see that other major infrastructure projects will no longer be funded by the national government.]President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Maharlika bill into law on July 18.Pangandaman said its implementing rules and regulations may be ready early this month.Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said investments from the fund may begin “early next year.”
