Senate to restore budget for foreign-aided projects

MANILA, Philippines — Senate finance committee chairman Sen. JV Ejercito has committed to have the allocation for foreign-assisted projects (FAP) in the proposed 2027 national budget restored.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News yesterday, Ejercito said reducing government funding for FAPs may delay projects for national development, such as the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway System.

“I am alarmed by the huge slash in foreign-assisted projects,” he said in English and Filipino. “I’m very particular with that. I plan to restore the slashed (funding for) foreign-assisted projects, especially the loan proceeds and the government counterpart.”

The FAP in the proposed 2027 budget program approved by the House of Representatives is P130 billion short of the P414-billion original allocation.

According to Ejercito, the government cannot renege on its commitment to provide counterpart funding to these projects, as well as pay the loan proceeds to foreign lending institutions.

“There should not be any delay because we need to honor… our commitments,” he added.

In addition to FAPs, the Senate finance committee chair also committed to restore the funding for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and increase the allocation for the Department of Education to at least four percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

He admitted that the budget deliberations would be difficult, given the limited fiscal space.

Ejercito said the Senate would be strict with the projects inserted in the budget, citing the requirements such as a certificate of implementability and approval from the regional development council.

“Not all insertions, not all amendments are bad,” he said. “That’s why we are seeking all of these requirements.”

After voting against the 2027 national budget program approved by most of his colleagues, Rep. Toby Tiangco has expressed support for the initiative of Ejercito to scrutinize the P7.2-trillion outlay.

“Accountability must begin with budget preparation, not after public funds have been spent,” Tiangco said.

“Senator JV has my full support. Every peso allotted in the national budget should have clear reasons, complete documentary requirements and should have accountability. There shouldn’t be projects without any explanation at all,” he said.

“If we (lawmakers) cannot explain why these projects are necessary, why it should be made a priority and why these should be immediately implemented, then why should we fund them in the first place?”

Tiangco recently made public his proposed infrastructure projects and corresponding allocations for the lone district of Navotas, a standard of disclosure he has consistently urged his colleagues to adopt.

“If I myself can release the list of my project proposals in Navotas, then I don’t see any reason why other lawmakers cannot. There should be no exemptions in the disbursements of funds that came from taxpayers’ money,” he said. — Delon Porcalla

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