NEDA chief hit for failing to physically attend budget hearing

NEDA Karl Chua virtually attends the hearing of the House committee on appropriations on the issue of pandemic funds. Screengrab from House of Representatives livestreaming.

MANILA, Philippines — National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Karl Kendrick Chua caught the ire of lawmakers on Thursday for his failure to physically attend the first day of the 2022 budget deliberations at the House of Representatives.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo expressed her “disappointment” over the physical absence of Chua at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City to answer questions on the proposed 2022 budget. The NEDA chief was present through videoconferencing instead.

“I would just like to express my personal disappointment on the physical absence of our good secretary, si Secretary Karl Chua,” Quimbo said.

“‘Yung mga kasama natin dito na physically present ay mas matanda kay Secretary Chua,” she added.

Quimbo referenced Chua’s earlier presentation, saying, ‘high-risk aversion has artificially restricted our productivity and economic growth.’

“By not being physically present here, it can be construed as being highly risk averse. Ibig sabihin may takot lumabas ng bahay at pumunta sa mga spaces na safe naman,” Quimbo said.

“Dito sa Congress tayo ay may testing, tayo ay may compliance with minimum health standards, may social distancing—sana wag matakot si Secretary Chua,” she added.

Chua apologized for his physical absence and vowed to attend subsequent hearings.

“I have sent a letter to the chairman explaining our predicament… my presence in the plenary debate will be assured,” Chua said.

EDV