PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has prohibited five government agencies from directly using their income under the newly-approved P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017.
In his action budget message posted at the website of the Department of Budget and Management, Duterte vetoed several special provisions included in the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or Republic Act 10924 signed on December 23.
“In keeping with the powers vested in me by the Constitution, I am compelled to directly veto the new special provisions which allow agencies to directly use their income,” the President said.
Duterte explained that all income of the government agencies are “integral and intrinsic” part of the revenue and sources of national government.
“Hence, including new special provisions in this act which authorize agencies to use their income will reduce the financing sources of this year's GAA and at the same time, unjustifiably increase the appropriations of these agencies,” he said.
The President particularly banned the Energy Regulatory Commission, Commission on Elections, and the Department of Labor and Employment to directly use their income.
He also disallowed the Department of Agriculture to earmark proceeds from tariff on rice importation.
The Bureau of Immigration was likewise barred from using collections from immigration fees and the express lane charges.
“Allowing these agencies to set aside and earmark said proceeds and collections will, in effect, result to double programming and increase our expenditure program without the corresponding revenue sources,” Duterte said.
Duterte said that the next year’s budget would start to “give flesh and bone” to his promise to provide “real” change.
He added that the “era of budget credibility” had already started as it has been in accordance with the law.
“Anchored on my administration's 10-point socioeconomic agenda, it is designed to bring equitable opportunities for inclusive growth,” the President said.
“Unlike in the past where the budget was vulnerable and open to abuse, this 2017 budget ensures that spending will be kept within the boundaries of the law. What you see in the GAA is what the government will spend,” he added. (Sunnex)