Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. (File photo)
MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said Friday there should no longer be delays in the release of funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One or Bayanihan 2.
Go made the statement after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released PHP77.98 billion to various agencies.
"DBM Secretary Wendell Avisado assured me that they are acting on all budget requests and will make sure that there will be no delays on their part as long as documentary requirements needed from concerned agencies are correct and complete," he said.
With the fund release, Go said executive agencies must work overtime to implement the Covid-19 recovery programs under Bayanihan 2.
The Bayanihan 2 stimulus package consists of PHP140 billion of regular appropriations and an additional standby fund of PHP25.5 billion.
He reiterated that the Bayanihan 2 funds must be used for their intended purposes, particularly to help the affected sectors and individuals due to the pandemic.
"Siguraduhin natin na magagamit ang pera ng bayan ng tama. Siguraduhin natin na makakarating ang tulong sa pinaka-nangangailangan at pinaka-apektado nating mga kababayan. At siguraduhin natin na walang pinipiling oras ang ating pagtulong at pagserbisyo sa bayan (We should make sure that public funds would be used correctly and would reach those who need it most and those severely affected [by the pandemic]. And we should make sure that helping and serving the country is our topmost priority)," Go said.
He said any delay would be detrimental to the country's path to recovery.
"Every single peso counts, especially in times of crisis, and, in every minute wasted, lives are at stake," Go said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has given Avisado the power to approve the release of the funds under Bayanihan 2 following reports of backlogs.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the fund releases no longer need to go through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
“Mas mabuti po ang ginawa ni Presidente. Binigyan niya po ng delegated authority si DBM Secretary Avisado para mag-approve na ng release. So hindi na po iyan dadaan sa Office of the Executive Secretary (What the President did was better. He gave DBM Secretary Avisado delegated authority to approve the releases so they don’t have to go through the Office of the Executive Secretary),” Roque said. (PNA)
