Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) — The government might be able to spend the remaining funds from the ₱3.7 trillion 2019 national budget until next year.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, upon second reading, passed the joint resolution that extends the availability of the 2019 national budget for capital outlays, as well as maintenance and other operating expenses.
This extension would last until December 2020.
Lawmakers have sought the extension of the 2019 national budget due to its delayed passage. This, along with the ban on the implementation of government projects during the three-month campaign period for last May’s elections, has led to government underspending.
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House committee on ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda estimated that the delay in the 2019 budget led to an underspending of P290 billion in infrastructure expenses and P140 billion in maintenance expenses.
He added that these expenditures would require five more months to implement and another three months to pay for.
In August, Salceda told CNN Philippines that the House would approve a 9-month extension of the 2019 budget.
He explained that this was a request of the economic managers of the Duterte administration.
READ: House to approve 9 month-extension of 2019 budget validity
CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
The resolution was approved at the committee level earlier the same day.
