AMID reports that several government agencies have been underspending their budgets, Senate President Vicente Sotto today said government agencies should be more prudent when asking funds from Congress and make sure that essential programs get priority funding.

“All these reports about government agencies underspending or not using their approved budgets is worrisome. Mas marami sana tayong nailaan na pondo para sa COVID-19 response at recovery program. Umutang ang pamahalaan para pondohan ang mga programang ito,” Sotto said.

“Sayang ang interes na ating binabayaran kung hindi naman pala gagastusin ng mga ahensiya ang perang nakalaan para sa mga proyekto at ibabalik lamang nila ang pondo sa gobyerno. Bakit pa tayo umutang kung may sobrang pera pala?” he added.

He also asked government leaders: “Why ask money from Congress for projects which you know you cannot fulfill? Why ask for money which you will not use anyway? You are wasting funds which could be used for more important programs, such as for mass COVID-19 testing, purchase of vaccines and other health services. There is also the special risk allowance for our healthcare workers. Ito sana ay nabibigyan ng mas malaking pondo kung may sapat na pera ang pamahalaan.”

Sotto said budget officials are fully aware that the unspent funds must be returned to the national coffers since they cannot be realigned for other government programs without the approval of Congress.

“Budget season na muli, mag-uumpisa na ang aming diskusyon para sa 2022 national budget. Nakikiusap ako sa pamahalaan na alamin ang kanilang priority projects, lalo na ang para sa health, economy, education and infrastructure sectors. Kung hindi nila gagamitin ang pondo, huwag na nilang hingin sa Kongreso. Hindi pa tapos ang laban kontra sa COVID-19 pandemic. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Taumbayan muna,” Sotto said.

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