Poe wants budget guarded in bicam after 'unprogrammed funds' issue | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Poe wants budget guarded in bicam after 'unprogrammed funds' issue
Poe wants budget guarded in bicam after 'unprogrammed funds' issue
MANILA — Senate Finance Committee chair Grace Poe on Monday said the 2025 budget approved in the plenary must be guarded once it goes through the Bicameral Conference Committee.
MANILA — Senate Finance Committee chair Grace Poe on Monday said the 2025 budget approved in the plenary must be guarded once it goes through the Bicameral Conference Committee.
This, after unprogrammed appropriation in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) climbed to P734.45 billion from the proposed P281.9 billion after the bicameral conference.
This, after unprogrammed appropriation in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) climbed to P734.45 billion from the proposed P281.9 billion after the bicameral conference.
“Whatever is approved by the plenary, dapat yun ang ipaglalaban talaga sa bicam (that should be pursued in the bicam),” Poe said in an interview after their hearing on Monday.
“Whatever is approved by the plenary, dapat yun ang ipaglalaban talaga sa bicam (that should be pursued in the bicam),” Poe said in an interview after their hearing on Monday.
“We should guard against that. Why would it be increased if ever it will be increased? And is this justified?"
“We should guard against that. Why would it be increased if ever it will be increased? And is this justified?"
ADVERTISEMENT
The unprogrammed appropriation or standby fund in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is P158.67 billion.
The unprogrammed appropriation or standby fund in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is P158.67 billion.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in the budget briefing that included in unprogrammed appropriation are foreign assisted projects.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in the budget briefing that included in unprogrammed appropriation are foreign assisted projects.
“Ang nilalagay lang namin sa unprogrammed appropriation usually are foreign assisted projects na hindi pa approved by the NEDA board kaya po hindi pa po namin nilagay sa specific budget ng department. But we are assuming these projects will be approved by NEDA board and ready for implementation within the year,” Pangandaman explained.
“Ang nilalagay lang namin sa unprogrammed appropriation usually are foreign assisted projects na hindi pa approved by the NEDA board kaya po hindi pa po namin nilagay sa specific budget ng department. But we are assuming these projects will be approved by NEDA board and ready for implementation within the year,” Pangandaman explained.
(What we put in the unprogrammed appropriation usually are foreign assisted projects not yet approved by the NEDA board which is why we do not put them yet in the specific budget of a department.)
(What we put in the unprogrammed appropriation usually are foreign assisted projects not yet approved by the NEDA board which is why we do not put them yet in the specific budget of a department.)
“This is really a learning experience na (that) of course we trust our colleagues but I guess we really have to over-emphasize if there are certain things that will change… Para walang sisihan, both houses or whoever, we really need to be upfront with our colleagues kung saan yun mapupunta,” she added.
“This is really a learning experience na (that) of course we trust our colleagues but I guess we really have to over-emphasize if there are certain things that will change… Para walang sisihan, both houses or whoever, we really need to be upfront with our colleagues kung saan yun mapupunta,” she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
(To avoid blaming, both houses or whoever, we really need to be upfront with our colleagues where that budget will go.)
(To avoid blaming, both houses or whoever, we really need to be upfront with our colleagues where that budget will go.)
Poe added that transferring unused funds from a Government Controlled and Owned Corporation (GOCC) back to the national treasury is no longer allowed, contrary to what was was done with Philhealth’s P89.9 billion.
Poe added that transferring unused funds from a Government Controlled and Owned Corporation (GOCC) back to the national treasury is no longer allowed, contrary to what was was done with Philhealth’s P89.9 billion.
Poe suggested that the Senate President should also sit in the budget deliberations.
Poe suggested that the Senate President should also sit in the budget deliberations.
She also emphasized that contingency funds can no longer be used for the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of civilian agencies.
She also emphasized that contingency funds can no longer be used for the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of civilian agencies.
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
