Duterte extends validity of key 2018 national budget components 

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a resolution of Congress, extending the validity of key components of the 2018 national budget until December 31, 2019, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Thursday.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed last December 28, 2018 Joint Resolution No. 3 extending the validity of the MOOE and CO components of the 2018 GAA (Budget) Joint Resolution Extending the Availability of the 2018 Appropriations for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and Capital Outlays to December 31, 2019,” Medialdea told reporters in a text message.

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Monday said the government would no longer push through with the cash-based budgeting system for this year after the President already signed a resolution extending the life of 2018 expenditure program.

READ: Gov’t scraps cash-based budgeting system; reenacts 2018 budget

The joint resolution would allow the use of appropriations that have not been released as well as allotments that have not been obligated.

It also stated that extending the validity of some components of the budgets would guarantee the implementation of the government’s priority projects as well as aid and relief activities.

“Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate of the Philippines voting separately, to extend the validity and period of availability of the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlays to December 31, 2019, amending for the purpose Section 61 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 10964, otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2018,” the joint resolution said.

The Senate in December last year approved the resolution to extend the validity of the 2018 appropriations for the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays until December 31, 2019.

The House, meanwhile, approved its version in November 2018.

The government has a budget of P3.767 trillion for 2018. /kga