Funding for May polls, gov’t workers’ pay hike assured – Loren

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has  assured funds for the May midterm elections and the fourth tranche of the salary hike for government workers, amid the 2019 budget impasse in Congress, Senator Loren Legarda said on Wednesday.

“We would like to assure the voting public and the government personnel that the DBM will source the necessary funds for the midterm elections and salary adjustments,” Legarda said, adding that such was personally assured to her by the DBM.

The funding for the midterm elections would come from the P10 billion unutilized fund of the Commission on Elections as well as from the contingency fund, while the fourth and last tranche of salary increase for government workers under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) would be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MBPF), the senator said.

Thus, even if Congress fails to reach its target GAB approval by Feb. 6, Legarda said these concerns have already been addressed.

The country is currently operating under the 2018 reenacted budget while Congress has yet to approve this year’s expenditure plan. / gsg