President Aquino signed on Tuesday the “pork barrel-free” 2015 national budget worth P2.606 trillion.
“Patuloy ang ating paninindigan: Wala na sa ating budget ang PDAF o Priority Development Assistance Fund, na naging instrumento ng pangungulimbat ng ilang mapagsamantala,” he said in his speech during the signing ceremony.
President Aquino noted that enacting the 2015 national budget “on time” is now the new “normal.”
“Sa ikalimang pagkakataon, naipasa natin sa tamang oras ang budget para sa susunod na taon. Ibig sabihin, sa bawat taon ng ating paninilbihan, ginawa natin ang ating tungkulin, at malinaw nga po ang mensahe: Talagang malaki na nga ang ipinagbago ng ibig sabihin ng ‘normal’ sa ating pamahalaan,” he said, recalling that in the past, budget reenactment has become a tradition that has given leeway for corruption.
He said the new “Budget ng Bayan” features the Bottom-up Budgeting Program, under which 1,590 cities and municipalities participated in drafting the budget.
“Ngayon (sa ilalim ng Bottom-up Budgeting Program), kung ano ang kailangan ng komunidad, sila mismo ang magsasabi, sila mismo ang magdidisenyo ng inisyatiba para dito, at siya naman din pong pinaglalaanan ng pondo ng ating pamahalaan,” he said, adding that some P20.9 billion has been allotted under the program.
The Chief Executive further said that as in last year’s budget, the new national budget shows clear budgetary targets.
Citing examples, he said the Department of Public Works and Highways aims to complete the construction and repair of 4,219 kilometers of national roads next year.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development meanwhile aims to support 4.3 million families through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, while the Department of Tourism aims to increase international tourist arrivals by 20 percent.
“Sa ganitong sistema na tinatawag nating Performance Informed Budgeting, may batayan tayo kung natutupad ng mga ahensiya ang kanilang mga ipinangako; nakikita natin kung saan napupunta ang kaban ng bayan. Higit sa lahat, malinaw ang ating batayan sa pagpapanagot sa mga opisyal na babagal-bagal sa pagkakaloob ng serbisyo, at nakikita natin kung sino ang nagpapakitang-gilas,” the President said.
He also noted that the release of funds has been streamlined.
“Pinabilis na natin ang proseso ng pagba-budget. Nabawasan na natin ang pangangailangan sa SARO (Special Allotment Release Order); sa pagpirma natin, good as released na ang mga budget ng ahensiya. Gayundin, nililinis at nililinaw natin ang proseso para higit pang mabawasan ang espasyo sa katiwalian,” he said.
President Aquino also signed the Supplemental Budget for 2014, which includes more than P10 billion for the ‘Yolanda’ reconstruction. Of the amount, P7.99 billion has been allocated for the construction of permanent housing for the victims of the super typhoon.
He acknowledged the efforts of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and the staff of the Department of Budget and Management; Senate President Frank Drilon; House of Representatives Speaker Sonny Belmonte; Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chiz Escudero; and House Appropriations Committee Chair Sid Ungab for passing the budget on time.
Capping his speech, the President issued a warning to all those who intend to commit corruption.
“Tiyak ko, malungkot naman ngayon ang mga dating nagpapasasa sa kaban ng bayan. Dahil sa mga ipinatutupad nating paggugol na matuwid, nahihirapan na silang magpakapal ng bulsa gamit ang perang hindi naman talaga kanila. Puwes, dadagdagan pa natin ng takot ang lungkot na kanilang nararamdaman. Hindi tayo titigil sa ating pagpupunyagi na hulihin ang mga kurakot, at papanagutin sila sa taumbayan,” President Aquino said. PND
