Palace confirms P18 billion Bayanihan 2 funds still unused as deadline looms

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/06/21/20150322-bayanihan-2-signing-prib-17.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs into law the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) during a ceremony at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Sept. 11, 2020. <em>King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The government has yet to utilize some P18 billion in funds for the Philippine COVID-19 response under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (<a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/14/20/read-the-bayanihan-to-recover-as-one-act-bayanihan-2">Bayanihan 2</a>) that will expire by the end of the month, Malacañang confirmed on Monday.</p><p>Quoting the budget department, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said P123.2 billion or 87.01 percent of the Bayanihan 2 funds have been &quot;obligated.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Tama po na mayroon pa tayong P18.4 billion or 13 percent na hindi pa nao-obligate,&quot; he said in a press briefing. </p><p>(It is correct that we have P18.4 billion or 13 percent that has not yet been obligated.) </p><p>He did not say why. </p><p>Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has pushed for a &quot;special session&quot; while Congress is in recess so that the validity of the Bayanihan 2 could be extended. </p><p>He warned that when the legislated funding expires on June 30, so would the budget for COVID-19 contact tracers hired under Bayanihan 2, among others. </p><p>Roque said he would ask Duterte later Monday about whether or not he also call for a special session. </p><p>&quot;We respect po the wisdom of Congress dahil sila naman po talaga ang nagbibigay ng polisiya (because they issue the policy),&quot; he added. </p><p>Congress went on recess last June 5 and would resume its session when Duterte delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address on July 26. </p><p>The Philippine government in 2021 worked with 3 major fund appropriations, including this year&#x27;s national budget, the 2020 budget whose validity was extended until Dec. 31, and the Bayanihan 2 which was first extended until June 30. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/11/21/health-care-workers-benefits-covid19-pandemic">Health workers seek release of benefits as COVID-19 pandemic rages on</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/10/21/senator-questions-dbm-request-for-p25-billion-more-for-covid-19-vaccines">Senator questions DBM request for P25 billion more for COVID-19 vaccines</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1710790" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar"><div><em>Video courtesy of PTV</em></div></div>

<p>The government has yet to utilize some P18 billion in funds for the Philippine COVID-19 response under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) that will expire by the end of the month, Malacañang confirmed on Monday. </p>

The government has yet to utilize some P18 billion in funds for the Philippine COVID-19 response under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) that will expire by the end of the month, Malacañang confirmed on Monday.

Palace confirms P18 billion Bayanihan 2 funds still unused as deadline looms | ABS-CBN

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Palace confirms P18 billion Bayanihan 2 funds still unused as deadline looms

Palace confirms P18 billion Bayanihan 2 funds still unused as deadline looms

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 21, 2021 02:56 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 21, 2021 03:14 PM PHT

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