Lawmaker fears farmers' cash aid won't be funded in 2023 budget

House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list said on Monday that she was concerned that, in the 2023 national budget, the Cash Assistance for Farmers Law would be financed by an unprogrammed fund supporting infrastructure and social programs as this could leave the law unfunded.

Brosas was referring to the special provision on unprogrammed funds in the proposed 2023 budget, in which P149 million was allocated for the support of infrastructure and social programs. The Cash Assistance for Farmers law would be financed through this unprogrammed fund.

"Article 6, Section 25.2 of the Constitution states that any provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates. Hindi ito (Cash Assistance for Rice Farmers) dapat haluan ng iba," Brosas said during the Department of Agriculture's presentation of its proposed P184 billion budget for 2023 before the House Appropriations panel.

"This modification of the [budget provision's] purpose is unconstitutional, Madam Chair. Why would you place the support for rice farmers under a provision for supporting infrastructure and other social projects?

Brosas added that lumping these budget provisions together could deprive the farmers of what is due them.

"Saan ito mapupunta? Baka kung ano na lang ang matira sa ating mga magsasaka?," said Brosas.

(Where will this budget go? Our farmers could be left with a pittance.)

Representative Bernadette Dy of the Bagong Henerasyon party-list agreed, saying that the DA had over P1.4 billion in unobligated funds that could be used to fund the Cash Assistance for Farmers Law.

DA Budget Officer Thelma Tolentino responded by saying that the allocation was still unprogrammed, meaning it was contingent on excess government revenue, at this point since cash assistance for farmers comes from excess tariff collection as provided under the Rice Tariffication law.

"At this point, we are not yet certain of the amount of tariff collection. Once the budget from excess tariff collection is forwarded to DA, the cash assistance for rice farmers will be sourced from that line item (support for infrastructure projects and social programs)," Tolentino said.

"Once the BOC (Bureau of Customs) determines the excess [tariff collection], the DA will use that amount for the rice farmers’ financial assistance," Tolentino added.

Brosas, however, was unconvinced.

"Kailangan natin upuan at pag-usapan paano babaguhin ito kasi maliwanag sa Constitution na any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates," Brosas said.

House Appropriations panel Vice Chairperson Janet Garin of Iloilo agreed and assured Brosas that she would get an audience with the DA in connection with her concern.

Based on DA records, the Rice Tariffication law raised P16.6 billion in excess tariff revenues since it was passed in 2019.

Of that amount, P7.6 billion was distributed to 1.5 million rice farmers in 2021.

In 2022, the DA is still distributing P8.9 billion in excess tariff revenues collected last year.

The Cash Assistance for Farmers Law covers those who till two hectares of land and below. Each farmer is due around P5,000 in cash assistance. — DVM, GMA News