BARMM approves P79.8-billion budget; education gets biggest chunk
COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao, Philippines — The Bangsamoro legislative body approved on third and final reading on Tuesday night a proposed P79.86-billion budget for next year following a daylong deliberation by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
Cabinet Bill No. 155, which proposes a budget 6 percent higher than this year’s P75.6 billion, got 59 “yes” votes among BTA members. No one opposed the budget bill’s passage.
BTA Speaker Pangalian Balindong said Members of Parliament approved the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) on third and final reading an hour after the plenary passed the measure on second reading.
The BEP was certified urgent by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, which in effect waived the three-day mandatory interval between the second and third reading of measures. After its BTA approval, the BEP will be sent to Ebrahim for signature.
Lawyer Ubaida Pacasem, the BARMM deputy minister of finance, budget and management, said the budget would be used to spur recovery initiatives from the economic downtrend brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The operations budget for 2022 will cover regular activities directly addressing the mandates of the ministries and other offices in the BARMM, including the purchase of goods and services for daily operations; delivery of public services; conduct of basic governance; and to provide general management and supervision in the Bangsamoro government.
Article continues after this advertisement‘Block grant’
Of the total budget, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education received the largest chunk at P24.7 billion. It was followed by the Ministry of Public Works with P16.3 billion; Office of the Chief Minister, P8 billion; and the Ministry of Health, P4.6 billion.
Article continues after this advertisementThe BARMM’S main source of revenue remains to be the “block grant,” which is automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act to the Bangsamoro and released immediately to the autonomous government.
The grant is equivalent to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs in the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year.
The Special Development Fund, as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, has become a source of funds for Bangsamoro development initiatives across the region.
