(MANILA BULLETIN)

The proposed P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2024 is tailor-made to boost the production of the local agriculture sector, among other things.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez made this observation Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 2, the same day that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officially transmitted the spending plan--the largest in Philippine history--to the House of Representatives.

“The national budget will provide increased allocations for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) banner programs to boost the production of prime commodities such as rice, corn and high-value crops, and fisheries among others," Romualdez. Leyte's 1st district representative, said in a statement.

"Higher investments will also be provided for the construction of more fish ports and farm-to-market roads all over the country,” added the leader of the 312-member House.

A briefer on the 2024 NEP showed that ensuring food security has been identified as a "spending priority" under the proposed budget.

Under the latest NEP,  P31.2 billion was allocated for irrigation services, P30.9 billion for the National Rice Program, P10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and P9 billion for the Buffer Stocking Program--all crucial items in rice production.

In all, agriculture agencies--including the Department of Agriculture (DA), it's attached corporations, and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)--will get P181.4 billion next year.

In comparison, the current 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or enacted national budget provides an allocation of P173.6 billion to these agencies.

Targeted spending needed

House Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto, in a separate statement, says pagkain or food is one of the "elephants in the room" in the upcoming House scrutiny of the NEP.

"Pagkain now takes centerstage. We may view the budget from various standard prisms," Recto said.

"Pero ang pananaw ng ordinaryong mamamayan ay ganito: Ang perang mula sa kaban ng bayan ba ay magpupuno ng mga kalderong nauubusan ng laman? (But the ordinary people's view is this: Will money from public coffers fill up the empty foot pots?).

"While agriculture spending must be boosted, it must be targeted well, with expenditures linked to productivity outcomes," he stressed.

From the NEP, the House will create the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which in turn will become the GAA upon its enactment.