Spending for COVID-19 efforts now at P246 billion, says DBM

The Philippine government has so far spent P246.125 billion in efforts against the coronavirus disease, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported Tuesday.

According to DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado, as of May 19, the total amount spent in COVID-19 relief efforts totaled P246,126,427,356.

Broken down, majority or P215.47 billion came from the 2020 general appropriations act (GAA), while P30.746 billion came from the 2019 GAA.

Avisado said that some projects were discontinued to make way for more funds for relief and assistance efforts.

In line with this, he said that the basis of choosing these projects were the availability of funds that were fully available.

"The president's instruction was for us precisely to make sure that we're able to respond first and foremost to the requirements of COVID-19 and that therefore, due to the urgency of the funding requirement, it was with the President's approval that we will utilize the funds that are still within DBM," he said.

"Meaning that these funds are not yet released as compared to those that have been comprehensively released already based on the GAA which are part of the NEP (National Expenditure Program)," added Avisado.

He clarified, however, that the projects have not been totally canceled, but instead could be continued in the following budgets.

"We have not canceled any project for that matter and we will continue to consult with other Secretaries on how can we still continue projects that are most needed by most of their departments," said Avisado. — BM, GMA News