House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. announced Wednesday (August 15) that the budget issue with the Executive branch has already been resolved.
Andaya said the proposal was to restore the slashed budget by realigning the proposed 2019 national budget.
“We have initial communication from DBM on where we can source some of these much-needed projects, lalong lalo na sa health and education sector. Mayroon ng initial na amount na binigay,” said Andaya citing his meeting with the members of the Executive Branch on Tuesday.
The Majority leader added that it is possible that Congress will allow a supplemental budget to fund the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on the deficiency in the internal revenue allotment.
The House Appropriations Committee on Saturday announced the suspension of all budget hearings after congressmen opposed the new cash-based budgeting system.
Andaya said they will propose a hybrid cash-based budgeting system instead where the budget can be used up to one and a half years.
He now hopes that the matter will end rumors on a reenacted budget.
“Kung ano ang demand iyon ang ibigay natin. Iyon naman ang ipinangako natin sa TRAIN 2. From that agreement, I think we can move forward,” Andaya said.
Meanwhile, majority of the Senators signified their support to the administration’s proposed cash-based budgeting system in lieu of a reenacted budget.
“Kaya kami payag doon sa cash-based budgeting sapagkat pwede naman mag-amend within the budget,” explained Senate President Tito Sotto.
“Mas prone sa manipulation kasi parang buong lump sum, buong budget ng 2018. Magiging lump sum budget for 2019,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said regarding a reenacted budget.
Lacson believes that the congressmen opted to oppose the cash-based budgeting system because the fund for their projects will be reduced. He calls on Malacañang to intervene on the matter for the immediate passage of the national budget. – Grace Casin / Marje Pelayo
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