The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P660.51 billion in allotments to agencies as of end-May for the government’s Covid-19 response.
Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado on Tuesday said 82.2 percent of the amount, or P542.64 billion, was already obligated by agencies, while 89.8 percent of the obligated amount, or P487.19 billion was already disbursed.
During the Senate hearing on the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program, Avisado said P387.17 billion was released by DBM for Bayanihan 1, P200.12 billion for Bayanihan 2, and P73.21 billion in regular funds.
Under Bayanihan 1, implementing agencies have already obligated 93.09 percent of the total releases or P360.42 billion. Out of the obligated amount, 95 percent or P342.4 billion was already disbursed by the agencies.
An amount is said to be obligated if the government agency has already committed to immediate or eventual payment of a sum of money.
On the other hand, an amount is considered disbursed if there is already a settlement/liquidation/payment of an obligation incurred.
In terms of Bayanihan 2 releases, agencies have obligated 86.09 percent of the amount, or P172.28 billion, while they have disbursed 78.83 percent of the obligated amount or P135.81 billion.
As for regular funds, only 13.57 percent of the amount or P9.93 billion was obligated, while 90.43 percent of the obligated amount or P8.98 billion was disbursed.
Fund releases under Bayanihan 2 law are still valid for obligation and disbursement until June 30 this year after Republic Act 11519 also extended the availability of appropriations authorized under the said law.
Upon the expiration of the Bayanihan Laws, all unreleased appropriations shall lapse while undisbursed funds shall revert to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund, the DBM earlier said.
The budget department has said agencies may still utilize fund releases sourced from the 2020 national budget until December 31, 2021 in line with Republic Act No. 11520 which extended the validity of appropriations of the national budget.
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