The Senate does not see any reason for delay, following an inquiry on why the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not yet released the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act funds.
“We make laws. Sayang ‘yung mga batas ‘di naman ine-enforce, ‘di naman binibigyan ang mga dapat bigyan (We make laws. The laws are put to waste if not enforced or the beneficiaries are not given assistance),” Sen. Richard Gordon lamented.
In the budget hearing, the fact surfaced that the Php10 billion under Bayanihan 2 meant for the tourism sector has not been given to the Department of Tourism.
“We have been attending all these budget hearings and unfortunately from our public sector committee, ‘yung mga drivers eh hindi pa rin nare-release pala ‘yung mga pinasa natin sa Bayanihan 2 (the funds we passed under Bayanihan 2 have not yet been released),” Sen. Joel Villanueva stated.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said they have been continuously following up with the DBM on the matter.
“Deplorable and inexcusable. When we were crafting Bayanihan 2, we stayed within the budget ceiling imposed by the DOF. So why are there no releases? Are the funds to back up the appropriations under Bayanihan 2 not available?” Sen. Franklin Drilon questioned.
“I cannot believe that Sec. Dar and Sec. Romulo-Puyat are so negligent, or dumb, not to submit the appropriate Special Budget Requests. The farmers and the fisherfolk need it,” Drilon continued.
Drilon also emphasized that the “appropriation authority under Bayanihan 2 expires on December 19, 2020,” citing the urgency for the DBM to release the budget.
Senator Christopher Go also urged DBM Sec. Wendel Avisado to expedite the release “in accordance with the law.” – Report from Eunice Samonte
