THE House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday approved the measures seeking to extend the validity of some portions of the 2019 budget until next year.
During its meeting, the panel approved House Joint Resolutions 9 and 10 and one still-unnumbered extending the funds for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO) in the 2019 budget to Dec. 31, 2020.
According to House Joint Resolution 10, the delayed passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act and the election ban caused delays in the implementation of infrastructure projects and basic social services.
“There are appropriations that have not been released and allotment issued that have not been obligated which shall automatically result in the reversion of the said unexpended appropriations to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund of the much needed MOOE and CO to fund priority programs,” it added.
The Department of Budget and Management said during the meeting that there are around P1.161-trillion in unobligated funds under the 2019 budget, of which P324.758 billion are for MOOE and P339.53 billion for CO.
DBM undersecretary Janet Abuel urged government agencies to have their projects implemented so that the government can achieve its goals for 2019.
House majority leader Martin Romualdez earlier said the extension of the validity of some portions of the 2019 budget is vital in ensuring that the funding requirements of some national projects under this year’s appropriations will continue until 2020.
“Without the extension, the unused funds will go back to the National Treasury,” he said.
“This is the best option to address the delayed implementation of programs and projects for the delivery of basic services.”
House Joint Resolution 9 was authored by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, while House Joint Resolution 10 was introduced by San Juan City representative Ronaldo Zamora and Davao Oriental representative Joel Mayo Almario. (GMA News)
