The budget department reported that around ₱4 billion have been released from Bayanihan 2 funds, ₱46 billion are pending approval at the Office of the President, and ₱24.6 billion are currently being processed.
“Sana po maunawaan lang na hindi po dine-delay ng DBM ang pondo ng gobyerno (We hope you understand that the DBM is not delaying government funds),” Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said while giving the breakdown of Bayanihan 2 funds.
“Lumalabas na po ‘yung effort dito (The effort is here). Nakasaad kasi sa batas mismo (It’s stated in the law itself that) it’s only the President who can approve all of this. So kailangan ipaabot po namin sa kanya (So we need to let him know),” Avisado added.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that the Office of the President is only making sure that the funds that are yet to be released are justified, but assured that they “will be released as soon as possible”.
Meanwhile, Malacañang wants the final version of the proposed 2021 budget submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte by November or December to give him ample time to review the budget.
“Alam niyo po kasi hindi rin ganoon kabilis ang pag-review ng budget. Kasi sa budget lang po may kapangyarihan ang Presidente na tinatawag na line veto (It is not that easy to review the budget because the President has the power to exercise line[-item] veto),” Roque explained.
The President is expected to sign the proposed budget “at least on the second week of December.”
Avisado also guaranteed that “there will be funds” for the cold chain or storage and transport of vaccines “because the President will never allow that we will run short of the requirements.”
Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana earlier today disclosed that “at least three to four vaccines are now being tried in China.”
“We are among the priority countries… Of course, this means that we have to get ready for the distribution and deployment of the vaccine,” Sta. Romana added.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
