Senate ratifies bicam report on gov't rightsizing

The Senate on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed measure granting President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. the authority to rightsize the bureaucracy. 

In a plenary session, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero moved to ratify the report, which harmonized the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 890 and House Bill 7240, also known as the Government Optimization Bill.

Escudero said the measure intends "to make the government smaller, to make it better, more efficient, and more responsive."

He also allayed concerns regarding the supposed "downsizing" of the government, saying that agencies and employees will be consulted through organizational reviews and the preparation of organizational plans. 

"This is no mere downsizing measure. It is about upsizing the number of personnel deployed where they can best serve the people," Escudero said.

"After all, government resources come from the taxpayers' contributions and these are not an unlimited resource… Whatever we take from taxpayers' pockets must be put and rebated to them in the form of efficient and effective programs and projects," he added. 

Joining Escudero during the signing of the bicameral committee report on Wednesday afternoon were Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, and Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, among other officials. 

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier said the government could save up to P8.7 billion if the President is granted the authority to implement such changes in the bureaucracy.

The Government Optimization Bill is one of the priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). — VDV, GMA Integrated News