THE House of Representatives, in a vote of 194-6, approved on Monday, November 26, a resolution extending the availability of the appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays under the 2018 budget to December 31, 2019.
House Joint Resolution (HJR) No. 32 states that there is a need to make the 2018 budget available up to 2019 due to several devastating calamities such as Typhoon Rosita and Ompong, the onslaught of which destroyed several infrastructure facilities and affected the delivery of services to some communities.
The resolution seeks to amend Section 61 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 10954, the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2018 which states that all appropriations shall be released until December 31, 2018.
“It is clearly imperative that Section 61 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 10964 should be amended such that the validity of the MOOE and CO appropriations shall be extended for another year for the benefit of the people and for the welfare of the nation,” the resolution states.
A House joint resolution is a legisative measure that requires the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Just like a bill, it has to be approved by the President.
The resolution was introduced by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr., Minority Leader Danilo Suarez and House committee on appropriations Vice Chairperson Maria Carmen Zamora.
Andaya earlier said the Senate will approve its own version of the resolution which will ensure that the funds alloted for Marawi rehabilitation under the 2018 budget can still be used.
The House of Representatives approved on final reading last week House Bill 8169 or the Fiscal year 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) which provides for the first cash-based national budget of P3.757 trillion for next year. (SunStar Philippines)