Speaker Dy urges DBM to expedite fund releases for gov't projects

Speaker Faustino “Bodjie” Dy III urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expedite the timely release of funds for government projects, saying delays unjustly burden the public.

In a speech during the adjournment of the session for a break, Dy touted that the House was able to pass 17 out of the 52 priority bills of the administration. However, he stressed that bills that become laws need funding to be implemented effectively and be felt by the people.

He cited three key bills passed by the House before the adjournment: Amendments to the Universal Access  to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Amendments to the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program and the Digital Payments Act, among others.

“Upang maging ganap at epektibo ang mga hangaring ito, kailangan din nating tiyakin na ang mga pondong inilaan ng Kongreso ay nakakarating sa mga mamamayan nang maagap," he said.

(For these measures to be effective, they need funding, and funding releases for these should be made on time.)

“Kahit po maganda ang naipasang budget, it will mean nothing if the resources for the people do not reach them on time. Kaya sa ating mga kaibigan sa DBM, ayusin ninyo naman ang inyong trabaho. Bilis-bilisan ninyo ang inyong mga pagkilos. Gawin ninyo naman ang inyong tungkulin para maging maayos at maipatupad na ang mga programang sasagot sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng ating kababayan,” Dy added.

(Even if we can pass a responsive budget law, it will mean nothing if the resources for the people do not reach them on time. So, to our friends in the DBM, you should do your job well. You must act promptly so that the implementation of government programs will go smoothly.)

The Speaker said there is no time to waste when it comes to the delivery of government services.

“Huwag na huwag nating paghintayin ang taumbayan. Ika nga, aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? Ang serbisyo ay may halaga at mararamdaman lamang kung ito’y naipararating sa tamang oras,” he said.

(Let us not make the people wait in vain. There is no use for the grass if the horses are already dead. Public service only counts when aid is given on time.)

“Umaapela po kami sa inyo hindi bilang kritiko kundi bilang katuwang  ninyo sa mabilis at agarang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng  taumbayan,” Dy added.

(We are appealing to you not as critics, but as partners in our immediate response to the needs of the people.)

Dy made the call two days after Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo criticized the House leadership's seeming inaction on the House members’ concerns on the fund releases for government programs.

Puno flagged the DBM for withholding fund releases prior to the bidding of the government projects or services, saying this is tantamount to grounding all funding for all government initiatives to the detriment of their constituents.—LDF, GMA Integrated News