Drilon suggests realignment of some infra projects fund to augment COVID-19 response

The executive branch could opt to realign some of the government funds for infrastructure projects in order to keep up with the country's most pressing needs amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Tuesday.

"Perhaps our financial managers would be able to free up some funds that would not be utilized for the intended purpose and realign it to the amelioration programs," Drilon said in a statement.

The senator said under the Department of Public Works and Highways' budget, P113 billion was allotted for road widening and diversion, P90 billion for flood management program, P52 billion for road construction, and P30 billion for bridge construction.

Drilon said due to the health emergency, these projects will unlikely be fully implemented within the year and that the executive branch should consider realigning the budget for COVID-19 response.

Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act gives authority to President Rodrigo Duterte to realign available government budget to augment the ongoing COVID-19 response.

Duterte may also order the discontinuance of appropriated programs, projects, or activities of any agency of the executive branch, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC) under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to address the health emergency.

The discontinued program, activity or project may be revived at any time after the national emergency has ceased and may be proposed for funding within the next two fiscal years, according to the said law.

Further, Drilon said the emergency subsidy should be extended to all affected sectors. Otherwise, an economic collapse could be expected.

"Families classified as middle class today are not earning any income. Likewise, small business owners risk losing their livelihood due to the lockdown. Their needs may be different but all of them need help," he added.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said that P275 billion is not enough for COVID-19 relief efforts.

"The 100 billion pesos for one month or the 270 billion pesos for two months ‘yan naka-program na as earlier estimated is not enough," Duterte said.

"I’m calling on the Secretary of Finance to generate. Magnakaw ka, maghiram ka, wala akong pakialam, i-produce mo ‘yung pera kasi ‘pag naubos na ito… Hindi ko malaman," he added.

Minority bloc Senator Francis Pangilinan expressed concern over Duterte's remark.

"Bagama't hindi kasama sa official at written report to Congress, medyo nakakabahala ang late night na pahayag ng Pangulo na wala na tayong pera," he said in a statement.

"Four trillion pesos mahigit ang budget natin sa 2020. Wala pang 10 percent ng four trillion ang 270 billion pesos na na-identify para lockdown," he added.

Earlier in the day, other senators maintained that the government has enough funds to tap for the COVID-19 response.

Like Drilon, Pangilinan is in favor of discontinuing some government projects that can be postponed so that emergency cash aid could also be provided to the middle class.

"The President is empowered by the Bayanihan Act to cancel projects that are not too urgent and to use the fund for the more pressing need to give sustenance to the people locked down in their homes and without means to earn," he said.—AOL, GMA News