Senators hit DBM for non-release of most Bayanihan 2 funds

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday took the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to task for not yet releasing most of the multi-billion funds intended to aid pandemic-hit sectors provided under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which is set to expire by the end of the year.

During separate hearings on the proposed 2021 budget for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), senators learned that the two agencies have yet to receive their respective funding under the Bayanihan 2 law.

Under the law, P24 billion is allocated to assist the agricultural sector and the Plant, Plant, Plant initiative under DA.

Upon questioning by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Rector, DA Undersecretary Rodolfo Vicerra said the DBM has not yet released any amount to the DA, although it has been “submitting the requirements” of the budget department.

Recto questioned this while Senator Cynthia Villar, who presided over the hearing, pointed out that the Bayanihan law is set to expire on December 19.

“Two months ago we passed the Bayanihan 2, and still DA has not received the funds?” Recto said, noting that only P6 billion of the P165.5-billion provided under the Bayanihan law for various sectors has so far been released.

DBM Director Cristina Clasara explained that of the P24 billion, the DBM had processed the documents of projects worth P11.6 billion.

“It will go to the President. It’s subject to the President’s approval,” she said.

Under the 11.6 billion, Clasara told senators P4.5 billion is earmarked for the assistance to farmers.

Further, the DBM official said that they are still reviewing the documents for projects worth P3.9 billion.

Clasara, nevertheless, assured senators that requests for funds provided under the Bayanihan law would usually undergo a swift process.

She said they  “just need to finish the review and endorse it for approval for a recommendation of the [DBM] Secretary,” adding that this week the funds might be endorsed by the Office of the President.

Still, senators expressed concern over the non-release of these funds.

“I hope they won’t pay lip service. We really put the provisions there to help them,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

P10B tourism aid

Meanwhile, senators also lamented the non-release of the P10-billion Bayanihan 2 funding to assist the tourism sector.

“We are still following up with the DBM  to release the funds. It is still not given,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told senators when asked about the status of the fund.

Under the P10 billion, P6 billion is allocated as assistance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), P3 billion to aid displaced tourism workforce, P1 billion for tourism infrastructure, and P100 million is earmarked as assistance to tour guides.

“Of the P10 billion, not a single peso has been released?” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said.

“None yet…,” Puyat said in response.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado said the agency is just awaiting the Special Budget Requests of the Departments/Agencies before funds can be released.

“The Secretaries know that…Those who have their budgets already released have complied with the requirements while those whose budgets have not been released are still in the process of complying,” Avisado added. [ac]