THE House of Representatives (HoR) has realigned P1.23 billion worth of confidential funds allocated for civilian government agencies under the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for fiscal year 2024, including that of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd).
In a press conference, House Committee on Appropriations senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo said the confidential funds will be allocated to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), National Security Council (P100 million), Philippine Coast Guard (200 million) and Department of Transportation (P381.8 million).
She said the additional allocation for the PCG is for intelligence activities and ammunition, while that for the DOTr is for airport development and expansion of Pagasa Airport.
Quimbo said the P1.23 billion is part of the P194 billion, which the panel agreed to realign to other government expenditures.
“The main goal was to rationalize the allocation of resources to fight inflation, invest in human capital and in our country’s future,” she said.
Aside from the OVP and DepEd, the HoR also stripped off the confidential fund allocated under the 2024 proposed budget to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The OVP and DepEd, which are both under Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, are seeking P500 million, and P150 million worth of confidential funds for 2024, respectively.
Earlier, Duterte said that those opposing confidential funds are also going against peace, as she noted its importance in maintaining security by providing the necessary resources to address unforeseen challenges swiftly and decisively.
The OVP was criticized for spending its P125 million confidential funds in 2022 in a span of just 11 days.
The DA, whose secretary is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is requesting P50 million of confidential funds.
The DICT is seeking P300 million in confidential funds, while the DFA asked for P5 million.
In a statement, House appropriations committee chairperson Zaldy Co said the following agencies will still receive the following amounts for the augmentation of maintenance and other operating expenses, which is not confidential in nature:
* DepEd -- P150 million for the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education
* Office of the Ombudsman - P50 million
* Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - P30 million
* DFA - P30 million
* DICT - P25 million
(SunStar Philippines)