Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, appropriations committee chairman of the House of Representatives on Wednesday reminded government officials to use the funds allocated to their agencies wisely and to avoid delays in the implementation of projects considering that the rainy season is fast approaching and the election ban on public works projects in preparation for the barangay and youth council polls.
Co in a statement reminded executive departments and other agencies with infrastructure funds “to obligate and spend those funds this year, and any infrastructure funds obligated last year but not yet spent should also be spent in 2023.”
In addition, Co also reminded departments and agencies to make sure they avoid the election spending ban that comes with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in October this year and the rainy season “while following the government procurement law and regulations.”
“We are already in the month of March, which means the government agencies have April, May, and June and then from November to December for the infra and another major spending. They should apply lessons learned by improving absorptive capacity and spending in those months where spending and projects could be hampered,“ Co said.
During the budget hearings, members of Congress kept noting that billions of pesos worth of projects and programs were either delayed or not implemented.
“We should have fewer delays and non-implementation this year,” he said.
By the time the 2024 budget hearings get underway next August, he said the Congress expects accomplishment reports and not apologies and excuses.
