Citing its fast-approaching deadline, Sen. Risa Hontiveros reminded the Duterte administration to “rush the obligation and disbursement” of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) funds before the end of the month.
The lawmaker lamented the “slow spending” under Bayanihan 2 that she recalled was originally set to expire last December 19, 2020.
Hontiveros recalled that since that first deadline, its effectivity has been extended to June 30, 2021.
“So far, there is no indication from the Senate leadership that there is going to be a special session for this,” the senator said.
But Senate President Vicente Sotto III, in a recent interview with CNN Philippines, said the extension of Bayanihan 2 would be among the Senate’s priorities when they return from their session break in late July.
This, along with the certified bills amending the Public Service Act and the Foreign Investments Act, which are pending for second reading. A third certified bill taxing the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations was passed on third and final reading before senators adjourned sine die last June 4.
In a news statement, Hontiveros griped that the fund is likely to expire anew.
“We’re just counting days before the fund would expire due slow spending. Meanwhile, those who may need the money most may not be able to receive it. When do we intend to spend that money?” she said in Filipino.
The senator recalled that as of December 2020, “the Department of Health [DOH], had only obligated 47 percent of its P12.5-billion allocation under Bayanihan 2, mostly on laboratory testing and hiring of human resources for health personnel.”
She noted that Department of Budget and Management (DBM) records showed that with Bayanihan 1 and 2, the country has spent P495,060,547,684 for the pandemic, adding that most of the money went to medical supplies, services, and financial aid.
However, that amount is only 75.76 percent of the pie. Bayanihan 2 alone still has P127,155,172,328 in unspent funds.
The senator also prodded the DBM to release the missing reports on Bayanihan 2 to help the government make quicker and clearer decisions on pandemic-related expenditures.
Hontiveros hopes the missing reports can be evaluated way ahead of budget deliberations for 2022.
Last month, the senator called for a special audit of the disbursed funds for Covid-19.
Hontiveros stressed the Senate will continue to perform its oversight functions over Covid emergency funds. “Why [is] there [a] need to hold these funds?” she asked.
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