Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. Photo from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines — The resignation of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado would not affect the deliberation of the 2022 national budget at the House of Representatives, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco assured the public on Friday.
“We wish to assure the public that this development will not affect the upcoming budget deliberations in Congress,” the Speaker said in a statement.
“We trust that the Department of Budget and Management led by its officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda, will carry on the task and continue its work on the 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP),” he added.
Earlier, Malacañang confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte already accepted the resignation of Avisado, who had to step down from office due to medical reasons.
READ: Palace: DBM chief Avisado resigns due to medical reasons
Previously, Avisado went on medical leave from August 2-13 after getting infected with COVID-19, which required him to go through a series of examinations.
READ: DBM chief goes on medical leave
Velasco said the House understands that health is a primary priority, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“While we are saddened by the resignation of Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, we understand that health must take high priority especially during this time of the pandemic. We wish him well and we hope that this will allow him more time to take care of himself and be with his family,” he noted.
While it may be unavoidable, Avisado’s resignation came at an unfortunate time as the government has been scrambling to find fund sources to support its COVID-19 response and the provision of cash aid for residents of areas placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Also, the DBM is the primary agency tasked to prepare the budget or the NEP, and then present it to Congress for deliberations that usually take a huge amount of time.
READ: As NCR goes into ECQ, DBM chief’s leave is ‘lamentable’ — Bayan Muna
Despite this, Velasco said the House would continue waiting for the submission of the NEP, hoping that it would arrive early so that the budget would be passed on time.
“The House of Representatives eagerly awaits the submission of the NEP so we can start the deliberations on the 2022 national budget and pass it on time, much like we did last year,” he added.