Lacson proposes to cut over P9-B in ‘questionable’ appropriations under 2022 budget

Sen. Panfilo Lacson. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday disclosed his proposed amendments to the 2022 national budget, including increases for education programs, among others, and the slashing of a total of over P9 billion in “questionable” appropriations.

Lacson, in a statement, said he proposed the reduction of funds for items such as farm-to-market roads and right-of-way payments, to fund key programs on education, connectivity, anti-cybercrime, and defense needs for the coming year.

Among the senator’s proposed amendments submitted to the Senate finance committee includes a P1.97-billion decrease in the proposed appropriations for farm-to-market roads under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

His proposal will reduce the funding for the project from the P6.95 billion allocated in the House version of the budget to P4.98 billion, as specified in the National Expenditure Program.

Lacson noted that under the Supreme Court’s Mandanas ruling and Executive Order No. 138, mandating full devolution of functions, implementation of farm-to-market programs should be transferred to local government units.

Further, the senator said: “There was no consultation” made with the DA before the funding for the project was increased under the House version.

Lacson also proposed the following decreases to the 2022 budget:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

P2-billion reduction for the National Greening Program, from P3.68 billion to P1.68 billion due to “adverse” Commission on Audit performance audit in 2019

Department of Public Works and Highways

P1-billion deduction from P3.01 billion in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for the routine maintenance of national roads
P200-million deduction from P710 million for the routine maintenance of public buildings
P500-million deduction from the P1.61-billion allocation for flood control and drainage systems
P1.36-billion deduction from the P4.56-billion allocation in the central office for preliminary engineering/detailed engineering of various DPWH projects
P300-million deduction from the P800 million for feasibility study including business case study for potential Public-Private Partnership projects
P600-million deduction from P1.6-billion allocation for parcellary surveys, land appraisal and titling of public infrastructures (including taxes)
P500-million deduction from right-of-way payments for various ongoing and future projects
P100-million deduction from EDSA rehabilitation and improvement
P500-million deduction in lump sums
P44-million deduction from each regional allocation for structural improvement of public buildings and construction of evacuation centers, totaling P704 million

Lacson’s proposed amendments also include some P300 million to improve the facilities in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

He submitted an amendment to the 2022 budget to increase by P1 billion funding for the “connectivity load” for teachers and Department of Education (DepEd) personnel to deliver online lessons amid the pandemic.

He also sought a P1-billion increase to the National Broadband Program under the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Lacson likewise introduced a special provision allowing local government units to directly contract the services of transport cooperatives to empower local government units to co-implement, collect fares and co-finance service contracting.

“This would lighten the load of the Department of Transportation and speed up the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program as the transport sectors may properly be represented by their respective LGUs. This would also ensure that the drivers are given fair wage and humane working conditions,” he added.

Lacson also proposed the following increases to the 2022 national budget:

Department of Education

P500-million increase in Quick Response Fund to P2.5 billion to augment funding for the repair and reconstruction costs of 8,706 classrooms damaged by Typhoon Rolly as well as to defray the costs for repair and reconstruction of damages incurred by public classrooms in recent years
P35-million increase in Indigenous People’s Education Program to P86.47 million
P425-million increase in Flexible Learning Options to P15.64 billion
P90-million increase in Special Education Program to P451.20 million
P550-million increase in Inclusive Education Program to P16.59 billion
P22.145-million increase to the Child Protection Program to P26.72 million
P1-billion increase in the Last Mile Schools Program to P2.5 billion

Philippine National Police

P300 million for PNP One Network
P100 million for operations and intelligence capabilities of the Anti-Kidnapping Group
P20 million for the implementation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act

Department of National Defense

Additional P15.11 million to fund the National Defense College of the Philippines

For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lacson sought a P444.32-million increase to the budget of the Philippine Navy; P50.35 million for enhancement of maritime seaboards; and P262 million for the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Lacson also proposed amendments to increase funding for projects and programs under the Department of Science and Technology and the Commission on Higher Education as well as a P100-million increase for the Supreme Court’s legal aid subsidy to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

He likewise sought a P322-million increase in the Philippine Coast Guard budget and P247.49 million to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the construction of one of its regional offices, purchase of laboratory equipment, among others.

The senator, meanwhile, proposed a P178.5-million increase for the Child Welfare Prevention and Elimination Program under the budget of the Department of Labor and Employment.

/MUF