Finance Sec. says national gov’t should assist Bangsamoro region in utilizing block grant

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said Tuesday the block grant or fiscal autonomy to be granted under Bangsamoro Basic Law should be phased, transparent, programmatic, and performance-based and the national government should provide assistance on how to use it.

“The success of this depends on the public’s acceptance of the law.  The public has to see that fiscal discipline is being practiced in all areas. It should be phased, transparent, programmatic, and performance-based,” Dominguez said during the Senate hearing on the proposed BBL.

He said the proposed law should be clear on who is in charge as the national government provides technical assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

“Fiscal  management is not easy and people have to practice, get experience in doing it and we (national government) have the experienced people who are willing to help in every step of the way. But again, as I said, it should be phased, transparent, programmatic and performance-based so that they learn as they do,” he said in an interview with reporters.

Dominguez said in overseeing the use of the block grant, the national government will not diminish the autonomy of the Bangsamoro region.

“The decision will still be made by them but we can do it together. We can co-implement,” he said.

“Here we have to hold people’s hands to make sure that it will be a success. This is not to limit their independence but to make sure that they will succeed,” he added.

Dominguez said the national government should monitor projects regarding tourism, infrastructure,  health, agriculture,and investments for proper coordination.

“It should be coordinated well. For instance, we decide to make a railway that is standard gauge and then they decide to make a railway that is narrow gauge. It will not fit. You cannot bring the train from one to the other,” he said.

“Let’s say the national railway station should be in this area. The bus station should be nearby so that there’s complementarity in details. Those little details have to be  ironed out in good coordination and cooperation,” he added.

Domingez said the P72-billion block grant should be released on a phased basis so that there will be room for amendments or corrections.

“I’m suggesting that we do it on a phased basis so we will give a grant for health development and this is the exact program that has to be implemented. That has to be in sync with the national program and we monitor it as it gets implemented.  Let’s say there is an infrastructure program, agriculture program—it has to be monitored very well,” he said.

“It should be per project basis so that we can monitor this project if it is successful or not,” he added.

Dominguez said the proposed bill should also provide flexibility for areas that will implement the project faster and for those who need more time.

“Sometimes some areas they can move faster, some areas they move slower, not everybody will move at the same phase. They should say a maximum (period) but again they should be open. If it is shorter, good. If it needs a little longer, I think we should be open to that,” he said.

Dominguez said the Department of Finance will provide suggestions for the proposed BBL as requested by senators.

“We will just suggest to improve it. I’m from Mindanao. I would like Mindanao people to determine their own future but they have to also realize that it has to be in sync with the rest of the country so we progress together,” he said.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said it will be the last hearing of the subcommittee on local government for the proposed BBL.

“This will be the final hearing and then it will be finalized by the technical working group for the committee report,” he said.

“With 11 hearings,  I think it is substantial  that we heard the constitutionalist, the financial aspect, and others for this bill,” he said.

The technical working group will start its work next week. —KG, GMA News