The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said spending for poverty alleviation and equipment upgrade to boost maritime security in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) islands has reached P32.8 billion, which comprise the biggest spending by class in August this year.
The department’s spending report cited that spending for the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) increased by 46.1 percent in August to P32.8 billion from P22.5 billion in 2014.
Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said growth in MOOE spending is due to increase in fund assistance for the Conditional-Cash Transfer Program and pension for indigent senior citizens both under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
At the same time, the MOOE also covers the spending of the Department of National Defense (DND) for equipment and the provision of supplies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that includes strengthening maritime defense amid disputes in the South China Sea islands.
Abad also said spending for infrastructure and other capital outlays (CO) in August grew by P29.2 per cent to P25.4 billion. The funds were used for the construction of classrooms under the Department of Education.