DBM wants additional P23-Billion for various Aquino projects

CEBU – The Department of Budget and Management said it is pushing for a P23-billion supplemental budget to ensure sufficient funding support for crucial development initiatives, including various infrastructure projects for post-Typhoon Haiyan rehabilitation in the Visayas and government preparations for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Manila.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the National Treasury has already certified the availability of funds to support the projects, but these appropriations must likewise be supported by proper legislation.

“With the proposed 2015 National Budget already subject to Senate deliberations, we need the support of the House of Representatives to pass a supplemental appropriations bill to fund these projects,” he said.

He said a total of P16.4 billion — comprising the bulk of allocations under the supplemental budget—has been earmarked for new priority initiatives. Of this amount, the post-Haiyan reconstruction and rehabilitation program will get P9.5 billion.

Another P1.44 billion will support key projects in preparation for the APEC Summit, which the Philippines will be hosting next year.

He said the supplemental budget will cover liabilities arising from obligated infrastructure projects worth P1.85 billion under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Abad said total of P5.08 billion will also be coursed to a number of priority projects under various government agencies. The funds will account for the budgetary requirements of priority projects that were partially implemented or previously approved for implementation this year.

The breakdown of the supplemental budget is as follows:

New urgent projects and programs, mostly for post-Haiyan reconstruction and APEC Summit – P16.4 billion; obligations arising from infrastructure projects of the DPWH worth P1.85 billion, projects previously approved but have not been implemented or have been partially implemented – P5.08 billion.

“Most of these projects have already been completed, are on-going, or are urgently needed to sustain our socio-economic development. The passage of the proposed supplemental budget will allow us to allocate funds accordingly so we can complete these projects right away,” Abad said.

But opposition politicians fear the supplemental budget would be used to fund the political propaganda of the Aquino government in preparation to the upcoming national polls in 2016. (Cebu Examiner)