With just a few months left into the year, the government still has P59.3 billion in unspent funds for Covid-19 response.
Data released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as of end-September showed that the government has yet to spend P10 billion under Bayanihan 1, P6.46 billion under Bayanihan 2, and P42.84 billion under other releases outside Bayanihan laws.
These funds are only valid for disbursement only until the end of the year.
In total, the DBM said on Monday that it has so far released P690.26 billion for Covid-19 response programs of implementing agencies. Of this amount, the government obligated a total of P637.97 billion, or equivalent to 92.4 percent.
Out of the obligated amount, agencies have spent or disbursed P570.04 billion (89.4 percent), as reported in the agencies’ respective Financial Accountability Reports.
According to DBM, additional releases during the third quarter of this year were charged from the 2021 national budget following the expiration of the validity of funds under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws.
These include the payment for the Covid-19 special risk allowance of public and private health workers, purchase of Covid-19 vaccine ancillaries, and procurement of RT-PCR testing kits and renewal of contracts for hiring of health-care professionals, among others.
“The DBM commits to continuously support all implementing agencies as they respond to the pandemic to ensure that all Filipinos are given the assistance and services they need, especially during these challenging times,” it said.
Under Bayanihan 1, agencies have obligated a total of P369.08 billion from the P387.93 billion allotment released to them. Of the P331.88 billion obligated amount charged from 2020 national budget, P9.998 billion remain undisbursed.
Meanwhile, agencies have obligated P204.07 billion (95.3 percent) out of the P214.12 billion allotment released under Bayanihan 2. This leaves a balance of P10.05 billion, of which only P4.56 billion in funds charged from 2020 national budget can still be obligated by implementing agencies until December 31 this year.
Of the total P43.5 billion obligated amount from those charged under the 2020 national budget, the government still has P6.455 billion in unspent funds.
For releases outside Bayanihan laws or those under regular funds, agencies have obligated P64.82 billion out of the total P88.2 billion charged under 2021 and 2020 national budgets.
Agencies have until the end of this year to obligate and disburse the remaining P23.38 billion and P42.84 billion, respectively.