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Govt spent ‘responsibly’ during papal visit, Palace assures
Although it could not yet release official figures, Malacañang on Tuesday assured the public that the government spent “responsibly” during Pope Francis’ five-day Philippine visit.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.’s office is still collating data from various agencies on government spending during the papal visit, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing.
“Hindi pa natatapos ang pagkalap ng datos… Sabihin na lang natin na mayroong sapat na kakayahan ang ating pamahalaan sa loob ng responsableng parameters,” he said.
“Hindi naman po tayo naging iresponsable. Ginamit ang resources sa dapat paggamitin. Siguro, marami naman ang sasang-ayon na natamo naman ang layunin na maging maayos ang pagdating ng Santo Papa,” Coloma added.
The Palace official explained that Ochoa's office needs to gather data on "incremental" expenses during the papal visit, including additional allowances for security officials.
Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and of the Vatican City State, visited Metro Manila and Leyte from January 15 to 19. The Pope’s visit was both state and apostolic in nature.
According to the Philippine government’s website, "[T]he host country shoulders the costs for the visit for the official delegation only” during a state visit. These costs includes accommodations and transportation for the visiting head of state’s delegation.
Even before the papal visit, the Vatican already told the Philippine government to keep expenditures for Pope Francis' trip at a minimum.
Coloma further expressed confidence that government spending during the papal visit will pass the Commission on Audit’s scrutiny.
“Katulad ng ibang gastusin ng pamahalaan, ito naman ay ginawa sa isang hayag at transparent na paraan at tiyak namang papasa ito sa audit, dahil regular na proseso ito ng pamahalaan,” the Palace official said. —KBK, GMA News
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.’s office is still collating data from various agencies on government spending during the papal visit, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing.
“Hindi pa natatapos ang pagkalap ng datos… Sabihin na lang natin na mayroong sapat na kakayahan ang ating pamahalaan sa loob ng responsableng parameters,” he said.
“Hindi naman po tayo naging iresponsable. Ginamit ang resources sa dapat paggamitin. Siguro, marami naman ang sasang-ayon na natamo naman ang layunin na maging maayos ang pagdating ng Santo Papa,” Coloma added.
The Palace official explained that Ochoa's office needs to gather data on "incremental" expenses during the papal visit, including additional allowances for security officials.
Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and of the Vatican City State, visited Metro Manila and Leyte from January 15 to 19. The Pope’s visit was both state and apostolic in nature.
According to the Philippine government’s website, "[T]he host country shoulders the costs for the visit for the official delegation only” during a state visit. These costs includes accommodations and transportation for the visiting head of state’s delegation.
Even before the papal visit, the Vatican already told the Philippine government to keep expenditures for Pope Francis' trip at a minimum.
Coloma further expressed confidence that government spending during the papal visit will pass the Commission on Audit’s scrutiny.
“Katulad ng ibang gastusin ng pamahalaan, ito naman ay ginawa sa isang hayag at transparent na paraan at tiyak namang papasa ito sa audit, dahil regular na proseso ito ng pamahalaan,” the Palace official said. —KBK, GMA News
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