DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, maintained that the country still has enough funds to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

“Mayroong sapat na pondo ang ating pamahalaan upang tugunan at labanan ang Covid-19 pandemic,” Avisado said in a virtual public forum on Wednesday.

The government released P375 billion under the Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

These funds were used to implement programs designed to support the country’s healthcare system and support the low-income families who have been affected by the community quarantine.

According to the DBM, P266.24 billion of the fund came from the discontinued projects and activities in the 2019 and 2020 budgets.

Another P98.41 billion came from the special purpose funds (SPFs) or the funds used for unspecified programs during budget preparation and legislation.

Avisado said the government has so far used P374.8 billion to respond to the Covid-19 crisis.

“Sa ngayon po, umabot na sa P374.8 billion ang nagagamit ng ating pamahalaan upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating taongbayan dahil dito sa pandemyang ito,” said Avisado.

“Patuloy din po ang pakikipag tulungan at pakikipag diskusyon ng ating Executive Department sa ating Kongresso, at ang economic cluster ay nagsisikap po na mas maisaayos ang mga kinakailangan pang tulong upang matugunan natin ang kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)