Bill extending 2019 budget validity filed at Senate

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 bill extending the availability of the 2019 national budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays to Dec. 31, 2020.

Angara said on Tuesday he has filed Senate Bill 1153 in lieu of the previous joint resolution and in light of a recent Supreme Court decision, saying a mere resolution cannot amend an existing law.

Angara stressed the necessity to amend Section 65 of the general provisions of Republic Act No. 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.

“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 [maintenance and other operating expenses] and CO [capital outlays] 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.

“[It] should be amended such that the validity of the MOOE and CO appropriations be extended for another fiscal year for the benefit of the people and for the welfare of the nation,” he added.

The House of Representatives is also moving to turn the joint resolution into a bill to address its legality.