Angara files resolution to extend availability of 2019 budget

Angara filed on Thursday Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, seeking to amend Section 65 of the general provisions of RA 11260 or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2019, which provides that all appropriations shall be available for release and obligation until Dec. 31, 2019. (File Photo: Sonny Angara/Facebook)

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara has filed a joint resolution extending the availability of the 2019 budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays to Dec. 31, 2020.

Angara filed on Thursday Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, seeking to amend Section 65 of the general provisions of RA 11260 or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2019, which provides that all appropriations shall be available for release and obligation until Dec. 31, 2019.

A copy of the joint resolution was released to media on Friday.

Angara, chair of the Senate committee on Finance, cited the delayed passage of the 2019 budget and the election ban for the May 2019 elections as reasons to extend the funds’ availability since several projects and programs for the delivery of basic services were not implemented.

“There are appropriations that have not been released and allotment issued that have not been obligated which shall automatically result [in] the reversion of the said unexpended appropriations to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund of the much-needed MOOE and CO to fund priority projects, medical assistance program, aid, and relief activities as well as for the maintenance, construction/repair and rehabilitation of schools, roads, bridges, and other essential facilities of the national government,” Angara said in his resolution.

Its counterpart measure has already hurdled second reading at the House of Representatives this week.