Despite concerns on the redefinition of the term “savings” on the budget book and the embedded lump sums in the allocation of various government agencies, Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad is confident on the early passage of the P2.606-trillion proposed budget.
He stressed the Aquino administration welcomes the passage last week of the Senate version of the proposed P2.606-trillion national budget for 2015 and hopes that the bicameral conference committee will pass the General Appropriations Act of 2015 before the year ends.
The budget chief also lauded leaders of both the lower and upper chambers in the “swift and appropriate action on the administration’s budget proposal.”
“The DBM has emphasized the importance of passing the budget law on time. After all, the prompt release of funds will allow our agencies to spring to action as soon as the next fiscal year begins,” Abad said.
He added that the prompt passage of the budget will respond to the pre-procurement of government activities conducted by departments and agencies since August 1 this year.
The pre-procurement measure, along with the new regime of the General Appropriations Act-as-Release-Document, means that the early passage of the budget will kick-start the fast, high-quality and cost-effective implementation of the 2015 budget.
Such measure “will then translate to the more efficient delivery of public goods and social services to the people, without compromising quality or raising costs.”
“We mustn’t forget what an essential role the 2015 budget plays in our campaign for rapid, sustained and inclusive growth in the country,” Abad said. The proposed budget for 2015 comprises an allocation of 37 percent on social services and 27 percent of the total program already channeled to economic services.
‘Substantial amendments’
The bicameral conference committee meeting for the disagreeing provisions of the proposed P2.606- trillion national budget for 2015 has been set for Wednesday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Francis Escudero said on Monday.
Escudero, in his media advisory, said the bicam meeting would be held at the Andaya Hall in the House of Representatives beginning 9:30 a.m.
The Senate passed on third and final reading the proposed national budget last week with “substantial amendments” introduced by the upper chamber of Congress.
Meanwhile, the Senate approved on Monday the appointment of Escudero and six other senators, including two from minority bloc, as the Senate representatives to the bicam panel.
Aside from Escudero, the other senators appointed as representatives to the bicam included Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Sergio Osmeña III, Loren Legarda and Teofisto Guingona III from majority group, and acting minority leader Vicente Sotto III and minority member Joseph Victor Ejercito.
Based on its approved version, the Senate realigned a total of P96.58-billion from programmed and unprogrammed appropriations within and between agencies.
The Senate’s realigned fund is far higher compared to the House of Representatives’ P19 billion realignments.
Escudero also said the Senate redefined the savings in accordance with the Supreme Court rulings on the Disbursement Acceleration Fund and Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Escudero hopes that both the Senate and the House will ratify bicam-approved version and submit it to Malacañang before Congress takes Christmas break on December 17.
(With PNA)