"We stand between the devil and the deep blue sea."
"We stand between the devil and the deep blue sea."
This week, the Bicameral Committee is supposed to approve the 2019 General Appropriations Bill. The deliberations have taken so long, and our efforts have led us to many revelations regarding the current and the proposed budget. There are still questions left unanswered.
Many have said that a reenacted budget does not contemplate the current needs of the government for the efficient and proper implementation of its programs and projects. However, due to the lapses of the Executive, particularly the DBM, the members of Congress are constrained to approve the proposed 2019 budget. The Congress only wanted to see how the budget was spent in 2018. The government reportedly has savings, but where is it? Where did the money go?
Given these, the Minority accepts the fact that we cannot hold the budget hostage. Either we wait for the Secretary of Budget and Management to come forward with the data asked of him, or we work with a re-enacted budget. We stand between the devil and the deep blue sea.
While we shall be approving the proposed 2019 budget, we are hopeful that there shall be a gentlemen’s agreement between the Legislative and the Executive, that the Executive, particularly the DBM, in turn, release the reports sought by Congress. In this way, we can reconcile the pressing needs of the government and will then allow us move on to the other issues necessitating our attention.
This 2019 budget is the last that the 17th Congress shall approve. When passed, I hope that this budget shall be instrumental and bear much fruit in the form of finished infrastructure projects, adequate medical supplies, accessible quality health services, successful anti-poverty programs, and transparent local and national elections. As I have stated in my previous articles, Filipinos deserve nothing less than transparent fiscal management, appropriate and accessible government programs, and efficient infrastructure development.
The Oversight function of Congress remains as relevant and active as ever in ensuring that different agencies of the government perform its job well.