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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gov't used savings for COVID-related infra projects, says Roque

Gov't used savings for COVID-related infra projects, says Roque

Published Sep 13, 2021 02:21 pm

Malacañang assured the public that all savings from discontinued programs went to infrastructure projects necessary in the country's fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (Malacañang photo)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares claimed that Malacañang discontinued projects funded under the 2022 national budget but used the "savings" for infrastructure projects that had nothing to do with addressing the crisis.

In his press briefing on Monday, September 13, Roque said that savings can be used for other projects as long as the new projects are under the same department or agency, as decided by the Supreme Court.

However, he said he had no knowledge of whether the money was spent on projects not related to the pandemic response.

"Wala po akong personal na nalalaman na mga hindi nagastos na pondo na napunta sa infrastructure na hindi po related sa COVID (I have no personal knowledge that the discontinued funds were used on infrastructure projects not related to COVID-19)," Roque said.

"Ang alam ko po, marami tayong mga infrastructure gaya ng mga makeshift hospitals para pa nga po maparami ang ating bed capacity pagdating po sa mga pasyente ng COVID (From what I know, we have many infrastructures like makeshift hospitals to increase our bed capacity for COVID-19 patients)," he added.

"So pwedeng maging infrastructure projects po 'yan pero related sa COVID (Those can be considered as infrastructure projects but they are related to the pandemic)," he continued.

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act had allowed President Duterte to divert the funds of projects funded under the 2020 national budget to augment the country's pandemic response.

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Harry Roque covid-19 discontinued projects Infrastructure projects savings Bayanihan 1
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