Budget validity extension sought
THE chairman of the House committee on appropriations has filed a proposed law extending the validity of this year’s P4.5 trillion national budget until December 2022.
ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap, panel chairman, filed House Bill (HB) No. 10373 to ensure that the 2021 funds can still be utilized on important projects to help the economy recover from the devastating effects of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).
“Nearing the end of the year, there are still programs, projects, and activities funded by the 2021 GAA (General Appropriations Act) that are very much needed by the Filipino people, especially those in the most vulnerable sector,” Yap said.
“The bill seeks to extend the availability of the 2021 national appropriations from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. This is to allow the agencies to fully utilize the allocated budget for 2021 to implement government programs and projects and to ensure that the intended beneficiaries of these basic services are reached,” Yap explained.
Yap said the 2021 national budget is not only focused on the priority programs of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, but also to guarantee a strong response against the pandemic.
“The General Appropriations Act (GAA) 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,” Yap said.
He said COVID-19 curbed the opportunities for socio-economic growth and development.
“It also brought disruptions in the operations of government, which then caused delay in the release and issuances of budget allocations. 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 stressed.
