{i.
neuts I MONDAY
Funding for 3 departments may still increase
3y EDU PUNAY
The proposed appropria-
ions fdr at least three depart-
nents under the P4.l-trillion
rational budget for next year
nay still increase despiie its
rassage in record time by the
{ouse of Representatives last
iriday.
Speaker Alan Peter Cay-
rtano said this over the week-
:nd as the House starts today
.ts period of amendments on
:Iouse Bill 4228 or the 2020
3eneral Appropriations Bill,
nrhich was passed by a vote of
157-6 on third and final read-
ng last Friday.
In a statement, Cayetano
>ared that several changes
arould be made in the GAB
lespite its approval by the
:hambe4 to augment funds of
;pecific agencies in need.
Cayetano'specifi cally cited
he appropriations for the
)epartments of Agriculture
DA), Education (DepEd) and
-{ealth (DoH).
I SEPTEMBER 23,2OI9
He revealed that the Na- Program, which was copied for tuning of their programs," prior to the voting, senior dep this year's budget. He stressed
tional Food Authority (NFA) the GAB by the House. Cavetano stressed. uty minority leader and Iloilo that it would allow Congrcss to
under the DA would be given He also"said tlrat the House irolowing this, he has asked 1st disirict Rep. Janette Gad& devote its time to other equally
an additional P10 billion next would look into augmenting his colleagues to submit their ouestioned ihe decrease in bud- important mandates.
year to fund its. purchase of the 2020 budgets of DepEd proposed individual and in- jet of DOF! DepEd and CHED. "It will give us enough time
palay from farmers who have and DOH. stitutional amendments and Minoritv leader and Manila to pass urgent measures indud-
been severelv affected bv the The DepEd got a budget offer better alternatives. lnsti- 6th distridt Rep: Bienvenido ing rcvenue measur€s that will
implementaiion of the'Rice cut from the DBM in the 2020 tutional amendments refer to Abante Jr., for his parl said fund the budget next year for
Tariffication Law. proposed national budget. changes made to the budgets there is a need to amend the the next generations to come.
The representative of Tagu-, It asked for P803.13 billion, of national agencies, while in- GAB as he argued that some Also it will give us time to rc-
ig-Pateros district said House but DBM only recommended dividual amendments usually agencies and programs are view our programs on health,
appropriations committee P550.89 billion. refer to realignments of funds "more deserving than others." education and other social ser-
chair and Davao City 3rd Likewise, the Conlmission on for particular districts. Me anwhileiknilitant law- vices which our people arb con-
district Rep. Isidro Ungab has Higher Education (CHED) bud- "With an open mind and makers led by\iFputy minor- stantly demanding more and
alreadv sourced P3 billion of get will go down byf11.65 bil- with open ears, whether we ity leader and Bayan Muna better servi ces," he pointed out.
the ne6ded fund. 'lion next year. It will get P 40.7 84 voted yes or no, let us submit oartv-list Rep. Carlos Zarate The DBM submitted the
"There seems to be a consen- billion in 2020, wfuch is 22.22 these amendments, let us talk ll.,uJtioned the sp"ed by which NEP to Congress last Aug. 20.
sus that we should add to the percent lower than its budget of and cdticize, yet but let us come
.
the House passed dre proposed paving the way for marathon
P7-billion fund to buy palay to P52.435 bi.llion this year. up with altematives. Flowever 2020 budget, claiming they did hearings by the House com-
help our farmers," he noted. In the same 2020 GAB, the sor.rnd criticisms are, *rey. will not have ample time to scruti- mittee on appropriations.
If possible, Cayetano said DOH has a combined alloca- be futile if we don't offer better nize all the provisions of the The GAB was approved
the House would add more tion of P159.2 billion - P92.2 altematives," he said as he as- GAB, which was deliberated withciut amendment by the
than P10 billion to NFI(s tund billion for DOH and P67 bil- sured them that they "will ac- upon and passed within a re- panel chaired by Ungab last
for the palay purchase. The DA lion for the Philippine Health cept and look at each and every cord one-month period. Sept. 9 and submitted to the
asked {or a P333-billion budget Insurance Cory. (PhilHealth) amendment with consensus." Cavetano exolained that the plenary
- Pre;ident
on the same day.
for next year, but the Depart- - an amount that is five percent Opposition lawrnakers criti- imme'diate pass'age of the GAB Duterte certified
ment of Budget ai'1d Manage- lower than the 2019 appropria- cized the GAB prior to its pas- would prevent delay in the bn- the bill as urgent last Sept. 17,
ment (DBM) only allocated tion of P169.45 billion. sage on final reading due to actrnent of the budget that could prompting the House to pass it
P71.8 billion for the agency un- "Education and heilth need budeet cuts in kev asencies. have repercussions on the coun- on second and third readings
der the National Expenditure much more fund and fine- IXher turno en'conira speech try's economy - as in the case of last Sept. 20.
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