Representatives Antonio Tinio, Sarah Elago, Emmi de Jesus, Ariel Casilao of the Makabayan Bloc. INQUIRER.net / CLARIZEL ABANILLA
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc on Wednesday called for an overhaul of the proposed 2019 national budget, which they rejected over apparent cuts on funds for social services.
“We reject the budget that was submitted by the President to this house,” ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio said during a press briefing.
“We call for an overhaul, and for an increase in the specific sectors and departments,” he added.
According to Tinio, their decision was based on cuts on government’s budget for education, health, and housing.
“We reject it because of the huge cuts in basic social services, sa education, health, housing, at iba pa, sa kawalan ng disenteng sweldo para sa kawani ng gobyerno, kawalan ng regularisasyon ng mga empleyado nito, kawalan ng suporta sa agrikultura,” he added.
Tinio and Gabriela Representative Emmi de Jesus pointed out that the needs of the people are more important than the issue of shifting to a cash-based budget system.
“Sa amin secondary issue ‘yan whether cash-based or obligation-based, ang pinaka-basic dito ano ba ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan at natutugunan ba ito ng kasalukuyang budget?” Tinio asked.
“Hindi nagiging pangunahin ‘yung isyu nung cash-based bilang pamamaraan,” de Jesus said.
She also questioned the government’s priorities in its budget proposal, relaying that flood-stricken individuals have been flocking to the National Housing Agency to ask for assistance.
“Sa kalagitnaan ng bagyo nitong nakaraang Lunes, may mga mamamayan pa tayo nagpunta pa talaga sa NHA dahil malinaw sa kanila na walang inilalaan na pondo para sa katiyakan sa paninirahan,” De Jesus noted.
“Ito ‘yong katotohanan eh, ito ‘yong realities na nagaganap ngayon kapag pinag-uusapan saan ba, ano ang prayoridad ng budget na inihapag dito sa kongreso,” she added. “Kaya ang gusto talaga namin, overhaul talaga,” /cbb