BETTER DAYS
Senator Sonny Angara
The Senate and the House of Representatives recently approved the bicameral conference committee report on the 2021 national budget, amounting to P4.1 trillion. This is historic because of the circumstances surrounding the budget’s passage—more so because of the unprecedented humanitarian challenges to which it aims to respond.
The bicam officially convened twice—with most panel members attending virtually. In between those meetings were almost daily conversations among myself, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, my counterpart, Rep. Eric Go Yap, as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, our respective vice-chairpersons, and colleagues from the Legislative and Executive.
Crafting and deliberating on the annual budget is a rigorous exercise of give-and-take. Nevertheless, we are proud to say that throughout the process, the original intent remained intact—for the 2021 budget to improve our response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; assist those stricken not only by calamity, but also poverty, hunger, disease, and joblessness; and ultimately jumpstart the country’s recovery.
As the first COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered around the world, up to P72.5 billion has been set aside in preparation for a mass immunization program around the country. In fact, if the appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (RA 11494) are included and their validity extended to next year, then the Philippine government is authorized to spend up to P82.5 billion to purchase, store, distribute, and administer COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.
Though it is still unclear exactly which vaccine will be distributed, the Executive has already said that the appropriations Congress has approved are adequate for the country to vaccinate just enough people to achieve “herd immunity.”
We must remain vigilant though while waiting for the vaccines., This is why the 2021 budget that Congress has approved includes up to P500 million under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for contact tracing operations, which is essential to monitoring, managing, and preventing the spread of the virus. Significant funds were also appropriated for the Department of Health (DOH) to purchase more COVID-19 test kits, reagents, supplies, and viral transport and preservation systems.
Steps shall also be taken to address the infirmities in our healthcare system. In fact, the entire health sector—which includes the DOH, PhilHealth, and different hospitals and public healthcare providers—will be appropriated up to P287.472 billion, representing the third highest sectoral outlay, behind only education and infrastructure.
The 2021 national budget will also ensure that assistance is provided to any Filipino who may need it. For instance, a bigger appropriation for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund was approved—from P16 billion in 2020 to P20 billion in 2021—to empower the government to respond and save more lives in the face of natural disasters.
If this amount is added to the quick response funds or QRFs of various government agencies (totaling roughly P6.37 billion) and portions of the assistance to local government units or ALGU (worth P4.5 billion), then a little more than P30 billion has been set aside in next year’s budget for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation — in short, for keeping our people safe.
Meanwhile, many of our kababayans are still recovering from the loss of livelihood due to the pandemic. Hence, under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), up to P19.036 billion will be allocated for its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), which targets the informal sector, and nearly P500 million for the adjustment measures program (AMP), which is for displaced formal employees. The Emergency Repatriation Fund, which the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration uses to assist retrenched OFWs, shall amount to P6.192 billion next year.
Hinging on the hope that more of the economy will be opened up as 2021 unfolds, the national budget shall also provide much-needed stimulus to restart our economy. For instance, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall receive close to P700 billion in a bid to refresh the administration’s push for infrastructure.
Then in a bid to further facilitate the digital transformation of the country, the National Broadband Program and the Free WiFi in Public Places program under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) were appropriated P1.858 billion and P3.224 billion, respectively.
These are but some of the big-ticket items in the national budget which we believe charts a path for the country out of the tragedy of 2020. Hopefully, this measure is signed soon. Email: [email protected]| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara
Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 16 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 7 as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.