DBM released more funds under Bayanihan 2 — Palace

Additional funds amounting to nearly P57 billion have been released by the government for programs and projects aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released more funds on Tuesday after President Rodrigo Duterte delegated to DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado the authority to approve fund releases under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Republic Act 11494).

The list of released funds is as follows:

• P100 million for shared services facilities under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program
• P5 billion for augmentation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund
• P8 billion for COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program
• P6 billion for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Sustainable Livelihood Program

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• P11.632 billion for the implementation of the Plant, Plant, Plant Program
• P20.575 billion for health-related responses such as human resources for health, augmentation for operations of Department of Health hospitals, special risk allowances, actual hazard duty pay, free life insurance, accommodation, transportation and meals for health workers, and other compensation to public and private health workers, among others
• P5.1 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment’s Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP)
• P500 million for the COVID-19 Local Government Support Fund

“Lahat po iyan nai-release ng DBM today dahil hindi na po dadaan sa Office of the President,” Roque said at a news conference.

Prior to this development, the DBM said it had released P4.413 billion under Bayanihan 2, which provides a COVID-19 relief package worth P165.5 billion.

The DBM had sought the President’s approval because the funding source will be the balance of pooled savings under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (RA 11469) and that the authority to use savings was granted by Congress to the Chief Executive.

Last week, some lawmakers expressed frustration over the slow release of funds but Malacañang said the funds under Bayanihan 2 can be spent beyond the law’s expiration on December 19. — RSJ, GMA News