Duterte gives DBM chief power to approve Bayanihan 2 fund release

FILE: Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has given Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado the power to approve the release of the funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One or Bayanihan 2 following reports of backlogs.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the fund releases no longer need to go through the Office of the Executive Secretary.

“Mas mabuti po ang ginawa ni Presidente. Binigyan niya po ng delegated authority si DBM Sec. Avisado para mag-approve na ng release. So hindi na po iyan dadaan sa Office of the Executive Secretary (What the President did was better, he gave DBM Sec. Avisado delegated authority to approve the releases so they don’t have to go through the Office of the Executive Secretary),” he said.

Roque said that with Duterte’s new policy, Avisado was able to approve on Tuesday the release of PHP56.9 billion in Bayanihan 2 funds.

“Delegated na po si Sec. Wendel Avisado to approve the release of these amounts (Sec. Wendel Avisado is already delegated to approve the release of these amounts),” he added.

According to Roque, the amount covers PHP46.2 billion of unreleased funds.

He said the breakdown of the funds will go to the following agencies:

–PHP 100 million for shared service facilities for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program;

–PHP5 billion for augmentation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) fund;

–PHP8 billion for adjustment measures program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers;

–PHP6 billion for the Department of Social and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and sustainable livelihood program;

–PHP11.632 billion for the Department of Agriculture’s initial submission for Plant, Plant, Plant program

–PHP20.575 for the Department of Health’s billion for health-related responses, augmentation of Department of Health hospitals, specialist allowance, actual hazard duty pay, free life insurance, accommodation, transportation and meals for healthcare workers and other compensation for public and private healthcare workers;

–PHP5.1 billion for the Department of Labor’s Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong program; and

–PHP500 million for funding requirements under the local government support fund.