Senate Approves P3.35 Trillion National Budget Of Duterte Administration For 2017

The Senate passed the P3.35-trillion proposed national budget of the Duterte Administration for 2017 on third and final reading Monday, November 28, with P1.420 trillion to go to social services.

The proposed General Appropriations Act for 2017 was approved with 20 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention. It is also the earliest time it had passed its version of the national budget in recent years.

“I am proud to present to the Filipino people a Budget for Change that fully supports the aims of President Rodrigo Duterte and the well-being of every Filipino,” proclaimed Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, a known ally of the president.

“It sets bold plans to meet not just today’s needs, but one that looks beyond 2017, one that contributes to delivering long-term solutions to the country’s long-term problems,” said Senator Loren Legarda, finance committee chair.

The biggest beneficiaries of the 2017 budget will be the following:

Department of Education = P546.62 billion

Department of Public Works and Highways = P443.76 billion

Department of Health = P155.15 billion

Department of Interior and Local Government = P147.58 billion

Department of National Defense = P135.04 billion

Department of Social Welfare and Development = P128.31 billion

Under the budget bill, Legarda said, DepEd and attached agencies will get the biggest slice of the budget to be used to “finance the construction of classrooms, hiring of teachers and procurement of instructional materials.”

The DPWH was also appropriated with a budget that will ensure infrastructure spending growth “given its indispensable role in poverty reduction, raising productivity, and in spreading the benefits of economic growth.”

The DOH’s allocation follows the Senate’s addition of funds to various offices and programs under the department, including the P3-billion increase in the PhilHealth’s budget “to ensure that all Filipinos will be covered by the universal healthcare program.”

The Senate also poured in enough funds to strengthen the country’s defense and law enforcement capabilities:

Armed Forces of the Philippines = P130.742 billion

Philippine National Police = P111.26 billion

Legarda said the PNP can acquire more personnel and badly needed equipment such as firearms and equipment in the ongoing war on drugs and criminality with the budget.

The AFP’s budget, on the other hand, will complement the AFP Modernization Program, under which P25 billion would be designated for programs and equipment to improve the country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.

The Senate also proposed the following allocations to provide additional subsistence allowance for prisoners throughout the country:

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology = P388 million

Bureau of Corrections = P163 million

Meanwhile, to prevent underspending among government agencies, the Senate included a one-year availability timeframe of Appropriations under the 2017 General Appropriations Act.

Legarda explained the move was meant to instill a sense of urgency among government agencies in utilizing their budget to the last peso.

“Our budget is our investment for the future. It is supposed to construct new mass transport systems, new airports, road systems, and schools. They are supposed to fund services for the sick and poor; provide electricity to our people; and build irrigation for our farmers,” Legarda said.

“Underspending simply means missed opportunities. We wish to encourage that we all work together and provide the people what is due them,” she added.

Source: Manila Bulletin