The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (Photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The House of Representatives has sought an extension on the validity and availability of the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlay (CO) funds under the 2018 national budget until Dec. 31, 2019.
The chamber approved on second reading House Joint Resolution No. 32 via viva voce or voice voting during its Tuesday session.
The joint resolution justified the extension of the MOOE and CO funds by citing the onslaught of several calamities which “destroyed vital infrastructures and affected the delivery of basic services to the affected communities.”
It also noted that previous joint resolutions extending the validity of MOOE and CO were passed by Congress.
If HJR 32 is not passed, the funds could not be used as these are only valid until Dec. 31, 2018, as mandated by the 2018 General Appropriations Act.
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr., Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, and House appropriations panel Senior Vice Chairman Maria Carmen Zamora authored the measure.