ADVERTISEMENT
Avisado: DBM open to pitching supplemental budget to Congress for COVID-19 assistance programs
By TED CORDERO,GMA NewsThe Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is now open to seeking a supplemental budget to the Congress for the government’s assistance programs to those affected by the continuing spread of COVID-19 and its consequent strict quarantine protocols.
“Open naman kami. Ang sinasabi namin [what we are saying is], we’re also trying to determine the possible sources to finance the supplemental budget or the stimulus package. Open na open po kami diyan,” Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said during the virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.
Last year, the DBM thumbed down the possibility of seeking a supplemental budget
to boost funding requirements for the COVID-19 response and socioeconomic programs due to the absence of revenue to be tapped.Avisado said the Economic Development Cluster will meet on the third week of April to determine “the facts and figures” from the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority as well as determine the current available funds at the DBM’s disposal to fund a possible supplemental budget or a third Bayanihan law or stimulus measure.
Asked how much will be the supplemental budget to be proposed by the executive branch to Congress, the Budget chief said the economic team has yet to determine the amount.
A supplemental budget is an additional appropriation authorized by law to augment the original appropriations, in this case the current P4.5-trillion General Appropriation Act, which proved to be inadequate or insufficient for the particular purpose intended.
Avisado earlier admitted the government cannot afford to distribute another round of assistance in the NCR Plus, which is currently under a two-week enhanced community quarantine.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Budget chief said the government is now anticipating that other regions might be reclassified into stricter quarantine mode due to rising COVID-19 cases, thus it is preparing for a possible legislation which could be a supplemental budget or a third Bayanihan law.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto in December filed the Bayanihan to Rebuild As One bill, his proposed third part of the Bayanihan Law, which comes with a P485-billion appropriation for various government interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Manny Pacquiao also filed the proposed Expanded Stimulus Act of 2021, proposing for a P335-billion stimulus package to further help the Philippine economy to recover from the negative impact of the health crisis.
In the House of Representatives, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is pushing for a P420-billion Bayanihan 3 bill to further help stimulate the country's economic recovery amid the health crisis. — RSJ, GMA News