President Rodrigo Roa Duterte–RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the President (OP) wants a budget of P8.18 billion for next year, to include an 11 percent increase in its travel funds amid the pandemic.
During the House plenary debates on the proposed budget of the OP on Thursday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro pointed out the increase in the proposed travel funds of the President’s office even as the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Based on the proposed 2022 budget, the funding for travel expenses of the OP increased from P283.33 million in 2021 to P314.37 for next year.
Zamboanga del Norte 1st District Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Jr., who was sponsoring the proposed budget of the OP, said the increase was due to the canceled trips this year.
“The increase of almost 11 percent for next year is due to the planned local and foreign travels that [were scheduled in 2021] during the COVID outbreak [which were] canceled,” Jalosjos said.
“They are planning to do those travels for next year,” he added.
Jalosjos added that the move is a way to “move forward from this pandemic.”
“We have to put additional funds so that we can maximize the opening of our economy, to move forward from this pandemic,” Jalosjos said.