More than 30 solons want probe on unreleased Bayanihan 2 funds

Over 30 lawmakers from the House of Representatives are seeking an inquiry on the utilization of funds under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act.

Through House Resolution 1558, Representatives Sharon Garin, Joey Salceda, Robert Ace Barbers, Raneo Abu, Rosanna Vergara, Ferdinand Hernandez, Christopher De Venecia, Angelica Natasha Co, Julienne Baronda, Deogracias Victor Savellano, Horacio Suansing, Edward Maceda, Estrellita Suansing, Ronnie Ong, Stella Luz Quimbo, Claudine Bautista, Antonio Albano, Michael Gorriceta, Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, John Rey Tiangco, Victor Yap, Lorenz Defensor, Amihilda Sangcopan, Jesus Suntay, Edgar Mary Sarmiento, Braegen John Biron, Rufus Rodriguez, Conrad Estrella III, Alfredo Garbin Jr., Sol Aragones, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Cristal Bagatsing, Francisco Benitez, Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Jose Gay Padiernos, Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, and Romeo Momo urged the Committee on Public Accounts to conduct a probe on the unreleased funds under the said law.

Garin, a key proponent of the measure, emphasized the need for accountability given that the delays in releases have hampered the opportunity for the Philippine economy to recover.

She cited a report from the Office of the President on November 3, 2020, stating that out of the P140 billion funds appropriated under Bayanihan 2, only P76.2 billion has been released.

“The pandemic is now only a month shy from reaching its first year and the country [is] still reeling from the impact of an economic nosedive. If we don’t act on this, the economic revival we all hope for will not materialize,” Garin said, noting that delays in the release of funds will be a disservice to Filipinos.

The lawmakers said the release and implementation of assistance authorized under Bayanihan 2 remains crucial and urgent as the adverse effects of the pandemic on employment, hunger, poverty, and business are still there.

Under Bayanihan 2, P140 billion was allotted to different government agencies to address the public health and economic impact of the health crisis.

The other P25.5 billion was a “standby fund” dependent on the availability of government revenues, meant for COVID-19 vaccines and financial assistance programs for businesses.

Garin said at least 4.5 million Filipinos are at risk of losing their jobs. She said the inquiry would help in shedding light on the possible solutions in the country's dismal economic performance.

"The economy cannot afford slow implementation of government relief programs that have already been approved and authorized, especially as the World Bank and other international institutions warn that the country will recover more slowly than its peers in the East Asia and Pacific region," the resolution read.—AOL, GMA News