MTRCB wants revolving fund to utilize own revenues

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio appeals to the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla for the enhancement of the Board’s mandate. Courtesy: Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is proposing to have direct control of its own revenues by turning earnings into a revolving fund.

During the Senate committee on public information and mass media hearing on Monday, MTRCB chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio said they currently cannot access their own revenues, which are being kept in a sinking fund, without asking permission from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Hindi po namin mayu-utilize ang aming sariling revenue na nasa sinking fund kapag hindi po kami nagpaalam sa DBM. Kaya minsan naka-depende po sa DBM kung papayagan kami to utilize ang sarili naming revenue,” Sotto-Antonio explained.

(We cannot utilize our own revenue that is in the sinking fund if we do not ask permission from the DBM. Sometimes, it depends on the DBM if they will allow us to utilize our own revenue.)

“That is why we are proposing a revolving fund,” she added.

As of February 28, the MTRCB has about P616 million in its sinking fund.

Senator and panel chair Robin Padilla asked DBM about their stance on a special revolving fund proposed under Senate Bill Nos. 1490 and 165.

Having a revolving fund, Padilla pointed out, will allow the MTRCB board to operate without the need to remit their revenues to the national treasury.

While DBM Acting Director Trisha Baraan said they defer the matter to Congress’ wisdom, she also stressed that they prefer the MTRCB’s funding to stay under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“As DBM po, ang talagang posisyon po ni DBM is as much as possible, ‘yung mga funding po ni agency nasa GAA para to ensure din po na implementation-ready ‘yung mga projects po nila,” Baraan said.

(DBM’s position, as much as possible, is that the funding of agencies should be under GAA to ensure that their projects are implementation-ready.)

“At the same time, ma-ensure po natin na walang double funding activities at saka ma-implement po nila within the fiscal year po,” she continued.

(At the same time, we can ensure that there are no double funding activities and that their projects will be implemented within the fiscal year.)

The panel hearing on the enhancement of MTRCB’s capabilities, mandate, and organizational structure has been adjourned as Padilla said he was already satisfied with the information he gathered after two rounds of deliberations, the senator’s office said.

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