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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Tuesday, October 10, 2017
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MANILA – Sen. Ralph Recto sought P15 billion in additional funds for the rebuilding of the war-torn Marawi City.
The amount “can be included in the Unprogrammed Appropriations portion of the P3.76 trillion spending measure,” said Recto.
The Islamic State-linked Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi in a bid to establish an Islamic caliphate on May 23.
The ongoing conflict has so far left hundreds of terrorists and soldiers killed and P8 billion worth of properties damaged.
Recto said the P15 billion may be added to the P10 billion already allotted for Marawi rehabilitation.
Placing the additional amount under the Unprogrammed Appropriations would eliminate the need for a supplemental appropriation bill if the current budget is not enough or has been fully spent before the end of next year, he said.
According to Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, “at least P50 billion” is needed for the reconstruction of Marawi.
Under budget laws, amounts authorized under Unprogrammed Appropriations may be released only when tax and non-tax revenues exceed collection goals or if loans for a particular activity are secured, Recto said.
These “two triggers” will be satisfied as “there is a high interest from donors of official development aid, or ODA, and our economic managers are gung-ho in meeting revenue targets,” he said.
“In anticipation of any of these, what Congress can do is provide the spending authority in the General Appropriations Act, which the executive branch can later use,” he added./PN
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