Salceda on 2021 budget: No pork barrel but there is concern over 'inequitable distribution'

Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Monday assured that there is no pork barrel in the Lower House's version of the P4.5-trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2021.

"In simple language, there is no pork barrel," Salceda said during the plenary debates on the proposed budget for next year.

Salceda clarified, however, that there may be concerns over the "inequitable" distribution of infrastructure projects among congressional districts.

"To a significant extent, yes... the inequitable distribution is partly the basis for why there is concern over pork barrel," he said.

"Once the NEP (National Expenditure Program) is prepared by the Executive, then it goes to Congress. Now Congress, it's the duty of the representative to make the voices of their constituents heard so that there will be no inequitable distribution of national resources," added Salceda.

The latest National Expenditure Program (NEP), is 9.9% higher than the 2020 budget, and 21.8% of the country's Philippine gross domestic product (GDP).

The House committee on appropriations on Friday approved the measure proposing the 2021 budget, which is targeted to be submitted to the Senate by October 14.—AOL, GMA News