Oro lawmaker urges increase in budget for GCG

CITING the vital function of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (second district) has requested the House Committee on Appropriations for an additional budget to the GCG.

In a letter to committee chair Representative Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, Rodriguez asked that the budget of GCG for 2013 be increased by P62,286,000.

“This was the amount that the Department of Budget and Management slashed from their budget proposal,” he said.

Rodriguez pointed out that GCG was created to act as a “central advisory policies” governing government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIS), government instrumentalities with corporate powers (GICP) and government corporate entities (GCE).

It was learned that part of the requested amount will be used for the professional services, construction of a building, fixtures, office and transportation equipment.

Rodriguez said the amount allocated for professional services will be used to hire additional staff including analysts who will be tasked to look into the 158 GOCCs and to determine if they should be abolished, merged or continue to be supported by the government.

They would also determine the remunerations and benefits given to directors and officers and determine the qualifications of offices of GOCCs.

The lawmaker also noted that GCG is currently occupying a room at the Mabini Hall in Malacañang considering that it performs a vital function.

According to Rodriguez, GOCCs need to have its own office space and there must be budgetary support in order to perform its functions properly.

“It is imperative that we do not hamper the services that the GCG provides by reducing their budget,” he said.

Rodriguez is hoping that Abaya will highly consider his request. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)