MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday scored as “deplorable and inexcusable” the failure of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to immediately release crucial funds for the recovery of both agriculture and tourism sectors under the Bayanihan 2 law with only two months left in the validity of the budget.
Senators learned on Monday from two separate budget hearings that the DBM had yet to release P24 billion earmarked for the Department of Agriculture and P10 billion for the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.
“Deplorable and inexcusable. When we were crafting Bayanihan 2, we stayed within the budget ceiling imposed by the DOF (Department of Finance). So why are there no releases?” Drilon told reporters.
“Are the funds to back up the appropriations under Bayanihan 2 not available?” he said.
Most of the funds allocated in Bayanihan 2 are effective until the adjournment of Congress on Dec. 19.
To date, only about P6 billion has been released out of the P165.5 billion Bayanihan 2 stimulus package. Of that amount P140 billion is in regular appropriations while P25.5 billion is a standby fund.
DBM officials told senators during the finance subcommittee hearings that the bulk of funds ready for release were just awaiting review by Malacañang while the rest still lacked documentation.
Agencies need to submit special budget requests in order to access the Bayanihan 2 funding.
But Drilon said he could not believe the suggestion that Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat “are so negligent, or dumb, not to submit the appropriate special budget requests.”
“The farmers and the fisherfolk need it. The displaced workers and distressed MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry need it,” he said.
“The appropriation authority under Bayanihan 2 expires on Dec. 19, and therefore DBM must release the budgets,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said there might be a need to extend the validity of the Bayanihan 2 funds, considering there were only two months left.
But Drilon disagreed, saying he would oppose an extension.
“Note that this is an emergency measure granting the President extra powers which, under the Constitution, will expire upon the next adjournment of Congress on Dec. 19. Any extension can be questioned as being contrary to the Constitution,” he said.
“Note also that after Bayanihan’s expiration on Dec. 19, the 2021 GAA (General Appropriations Act) becomes effective 12 days after. So why extend it? DBM should release the funds appropriated before Dec. 19,” Drilon said.
Malacañang, however, assured lawmakers that the funds provided for under Bayanihan 2 would be released this year.
“Of course, we want the budget released before the Bayanihan 2 expires in December. Do not worry if there has been initial delay. All of that would be released because it is important for economic stimulus at this time,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque said some P14 billion in funds were still awaiting approval by the Office of the President for their release.
The government wants the rest of the Bayanihan 2 funds released sooner, he said. —With a report from Leila B. Salaverria INQ