Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Senate panel to meet congressmen over budget impasse
SENATOR Manuel Villar on Tuesday said the Senate contingent in the bicameral conference for the approval of the 2006 national budget will continue looking for ways to break the impasse even during recess.
"We are not closing our doors on reopening bicameral discussions on the budget, although the differences between the two conferring parties seem to be irreconcilable. Both sides did its best to hammer out a compromise and talk to hardliners to reach an agreement," said Villar, head of the Senate contingent in the bicameral conference.
The senator said there are still windows of opportunities to continue the bicameral conference for the budget approval to avoid using the reenacted budget in the amount of P907.6 billion for the rest of the year.
"If we are really bent on having a new budget, even if it's over half a year late, we could hold bicameral discussions during the break and then approve it when Congress resumes in July. Even though, by July 24, on the opening of the third regular session of the 13th Congress, the President (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) would present the proposed budget for 2007," he added.
If nothing happens that would lead to the use of the reenacted budget for the entire 2006, Villar said they will propose for a supplemental budget. "We are exploring the possibility of creating a supplemental budget. Our committee is reviewing the budget to identify departments or agencies that would adversely hit with a reenacted budget such as PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) and additional classrooms. We don't want the people to suffer unnecessarily," he said.
The House of Representatives contingent wanted the restoration of the cuts of P26.3 billion from programs funds and P37.7 billion from unprogrammed appropriations made by the Senate in the P1.053 trillion budget the Lower House approved.
Outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, blamed Malacañang and the Lower House for the budget impasse, saying the Senate would never allow the executive department to fund its alleged unquestionable programs like the Kilos Asenso and Kalayaan Barangays project worth more than P8 billion. (REC/Sunnex)
(June 14, 2006 issue)
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