Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite has funding: DBM chief

“Furthermore, the Comelec has prior years’ continuing appropriations (from 2015 to 2017) amounting to PHP409.5 million as of end-September 2018, which they can tap to cover the funding requirements of the plebiscite,” the budget chief added. (File Photo: Department of Budget and Management/Facebook)

MANILA — Contrary to claims by Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr., the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite has adequate funding and will push through as planned, Department of Budget and Management (DBM)Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Tuesday.

“In the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the 2019 National Expenditure Program (NEP), PHP111.8 million and PHP95.8 million are allocated, respectively, under Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for the conduct and supervision of elections, referenda, recall votes, and plebiscites in the budget of the Commission on Elections (Comelec),” Diokno said in a news release.

“Furthermore, the Comelec has prior years’ continuing appropriations (from 2015 to 2017) amounting to PHP409.5 million as of end-September 2018, which they can tap to cover the funding requirements of the plebiscite,” the budget chief added.

In addition to these funding sources, the Comelec, as a constitutional office with fiscal autonomy, may also use un-obligated allotments amounting to PHP10.4 billion (as of end-September 2018) for preparatory activities in the national and local elections lodged in the built-in appropriations of the poll body, Diokno noted.

“Now, to appease concerns that there is not enough money for the Bangsamoro plebiscite, the Comelec may also request for more funding through the contingent fund, subject to approval of the Office of the President, in case the above-cited sources are fully utilized,” Diokno said.

“We want to give peace a chance in the Bangsamoro region, and we are prepared and willing to fund this exercise to the fullest,” he said.