UNPROGRAMMED funds are legal and are intended for emergency projects included in government’s wish list in case of surplus revenues, said House Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co Thursday.
“Hindi yan obligasyon o kontrata. Hindi siya part ng NEP (national expenditure program), hindi siya part ng programmed funds. It is only a wish list na pag nagkaroon ng extra funds binibigyan natin ang ating pamahalaan para mas makatulong sa ating mga kababayan at tumaas ang economic growth natin,” Co said in radio interviews.
This was Co’s response when asked about the petition filed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman before the Supreme Court questioning unprogrammed funds in the 2024 national budget.
Co said unprogrammed funds are legal and are only released after a certification from the Department of Budget and Management and the Treasury that there is extra revenue.
“Hindi siya bago sa system…Hindi po yan illegal. Ang gamit po niyan kapag may emergency like COVID, kinulang pa nga tayo. Gumastos po tayo ng 400 billion. Nag slash ng pondo sa NEP at may mga proyektong hindi natuloy, para lang matugunan ang bagong pangangailangan,” he explained.
Co said unprogrammed funds have been included in previous national budgets including this year’s as a good planning practice for emergency situations.
“Kelangan nating mag planning para pag may extra funds o extra revenue ay may paglalagyan. Kasi hindi trabaho ng ating government mag save ng pera ngunit kelangan nitong gamitin ang extra funds para ang ating ekonomiya ay magkaroon ng growth. Ang gusto natin ay double digit growth. Direct assistance sa ating mamamayan specially sa panahon ngayon medyo mataas ang inflation na kinokontrol natin. Naglalagay tayo ng pondo na just in case magkaroon ng extra revenue para po sa ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
Co reiterated that Lagman, as congressman for many years, has signed off on all national budgets with unprogrammed funds. He said this proves that Lagman agreed then that unprogrammed funds are legitimate budget items.
“Matagal nang meron nito nandito na yan kahit naging Chairman pa si Lagman sa Appropriations nung 2007 meron na yan even before him. Matagal na yang meron. Last 15 years sa bicameral conference committee… even last year — meron akong documents na pumirma siya kaya legal po yan ‘di illegal,” he said.
On reports that Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte received 51 billion pesos in unprogrammed funds, Co said he is having it verified.
“That is so much yan 51 billion… Wala pa akong hawak na dokumento pero pinapahanap ko na po ito. Mukhang 99% itong 51 billion mukhang totoo po yan,” he said.
“Sabagay, nung 18th Congress ay naririnig ko na yan na napakalaking pondo ang na-release sa south sa Mindanao, especially Davao tawag daw diyan Holy Land. Wala naman makapag question niyan sa Kongreso… ang average 500 million to P 1 billion. Pag 2 billion, 3 to 4 billion medyo sacred cow ka niyan,” he added.
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