The House Committee on Appropriations has approved a bill that would extend the validity of the 2021 national budget until the end of next year to ensure the programs and projects funded this year will be fully implemented.
At an online meeting on Wednesday, the house panel presided by Zamboanga City Second District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe approved House Bill 10373, subject to style. Northern Samar First District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza, for his part, expressed concern during the deliberations about the language of the bill.
The bill seeks to amend Section 62 of the General Provisions of Republic Act 11518 or General Appropriations Act (GAA) of fiscal year 2021 to extend the availability of the 2021 appropriations until December 31, 2022.
Daza recommended that HB 10373 should have a certain provision that would safeguard ongoing government projects whose funding were already obligated but were yet to be disbursed.
“The various provisions in the GAA severely punish certain areas like my area, because of typhoons and pandemic issues. So now, whether obligated or not, if funds are undisbursed, it reverts back to the treasury,” Daza said.
Earlier this week, the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations pushed for the passage of a bill extending the availability of the 2021 GAA until December 31, 2022.
“[This is also] to implement government programs and projects and to ensure that the intended beneficiaries of these basic services are reached,” ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, the panel chairman, said about House Bill 10373.
“Nearing the end of the year, there are still programs, projects, and activities funded by the 2021 GAA that are very much needed by the Filipino people, especially those in the most vulnerable sector,” Yap added.
According to Yap, the pandemic affected the opportunities for socio-economic growth and development and also brought disruptions in the operations of government, which then caused delay in the release and issuances of budget allocations.
“The General Appropriations Act of 2021 centers on the philosophy that more than our priorities for a responsive and dynamic governance, the focus of our resources shall also be directed to the most urgent priority—to reset our momentum and action, rebound from the devastating effects of the pandemic on the health and economy, and fully recover from current and continuing impacts of the crisis,” he added.
Under the bill, the appropriations for infrastructure capital outlays, including subsidy releases to government-owned and -controlled corporations for infrastructure projects, shall be valid for obligation until December 31, 2022, while the completion of construction, inspection, and payment shall be made not later than December 31, 2022.
On the other hand, appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses and other capital outlays shall likewise be valid for obligation until December 31, 2022, while the delivery, inspection and payment shall be made not later than December 31, 2022.
The bill said the Department of Budget and Management is authorized to issue the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the cash budgeting system.
Also, the bill mandates the submission of a report on these releases and disbursements to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate President, the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.
Last year, Congress also extended the availability of the funds appropriated under the 2020 General Appropriations Act to support economic stimulus efforts as well as pending infrastructure projects of the government.
Image credits: Robinson Ninal Jr./Malacañang Presidential Photographers Division via AP