P46.2B pending at Duterte’s office for his approval, says DBM

October 22, 2020

Some P46.2 billion fund of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 is awaiting approval from the Office of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Budget and Management said on Thursday.

In a televised press briefing, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said the release of the P140 billion budget under the Bayanihan 2 has to pass through first the OP.

"It's stated in the law itself that it's only the President who can approve all of these, we need to inform," he said.

After Duterte's approval, that would be the only time that the special allotment release orders and the notice of cash allocation could be made.

Of the P46.2 billion budget now pending at the OP, Avisado said P8 billion is for the Department of Labor and Employment's coronavirus disease adjustment measures Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay for the displaced/disadvantaged workers; P6 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's assistance to individuals in crisis situation and sustainable program; P11.632 billion Department of Agriculture's Plant, Plant, Plant program; and P20.576 billion for the Department of Health's health-related responses.

So far, of the total Bayanihan 2 budget, Avisado said his office was able to release P4.4 billion. 

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the release of the fund would be "as soon as impossible."

"The OES (Office of the Executive Secretary) just wants to ensure that the funds are indeed needed and it will go to its intended beneficiaries," he said when asked why it has been taking so long for Duterte to release the budget. Celerina Monte/DMS