Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Today (October 14) is the last day for lawmakers to file their proposed amendments on the 2016 budget before the House Committee on Appropriations.
And Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, accompanied by student leaders from various state colleges and universities, filed amendments to the House-approved budget.
They wanted amounts slashed from the budget of State Universities and Colleges (SUC) to be restored and lump sum funds that may be used as pork barrel to be removed.
If passed, around 477 million pesos will be slashed from the operating expenses of 59 SUCs while there will be around 600 billion pesos in lump sum funds.
Ridon said the budget slashed from SUCs was just a drop in the bucket compared to the billions of pesos in lump sum funds.
He was proposing that these lump sum funds be realigned to SUCs.
Ridon said 27 legislators expressed support for the restoration of budget cuts for SUCs.
The proposed amendments might be tackled by the Committee on Appropriations and during the Bicameral conference next month to finalize the 2016 budget.
