Senate finance panel recommends extension of validity of some 2019 budget portions until next year

The Senate finance committee has approved a joint resolution extending portions of the 2019 budget for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay as valid until December 31, 2020.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, finance committee chairman, is set to sponsor Committee Report 16 recommending approval of the joint resolution to the Senate plenary.

At least 18 senators signed the resolution’s committee report. It states that the late passage of the 2019 national budget and the election ban resulted in implementation delays of infrastructure projects and social services.

Some of the appropriations that have not been released and the allotments that have not been obligated will automatically lapse, the resolution noted.

Such situation will deprive the people and the country of the maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay to fund priority projects, financial assistance program, aid, and relief activities, it said.

The money for maintenance, construction and repair, and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and other essential government facilities will also be affected.

In his veto message regarding portions of the budget law, President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the implementation and payments of infrastructure projects until December 31, 2020.

On Monday, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the joint resolution.  —VDS, GMA News