PR
Properly, prudently, and efficiently.
This, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, is how the Executive plans to spend the record-setting 4.1 trillion-peso 2020 national budget that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on the first working Monday of the year.
“We thank the members of Congress for working overtime to expedite the passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA). This was a team effort, and we commend the leadership of both houses for helping us start the year right,” said the former legislator.
According to Nograles, former Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, “the timely passage of the budget will allow us to avoid issues like underspending and ensure that priority programs and projects are properly funded and implemented.”
Despite the 2019 budget being signed in mid-April, government was able to accelerate spending, with the Department of Budget and Management reporting that it had released 3.622 trillion pesos, or 98.9% of the 3.662 trillion-peso fiscal year 2019 obligation program, by the end of November 2019.
“The budget is the lifeblood of government, and all department heads recognize that the President wants them to maximize the financial resources allocated to them,” said the Palace official.
“The members of the Cabinet are on the same page when it comes to government funds. These are to be used––not abused––for the benefit of our countrymen. Babantayan ng maigi yan para magamit ng tama at maayos.”
