In what could be interpreted as his response to criticisms from the National Unity Party (NUP) leadership, House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Wednesday night, March 18 told the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to do its job, pronto.

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Wednesday sharply called out the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) over

During his closing speech in plenary before the House of Representatives adjourned for its annual summer break, Dy nudged the DBM to move faster and ensure timely implementation of government programs.

He said slow disbursement renders even approved budgets meaningless and delays urgently needed services for Filipinos.

“Kaya naman po sa mga kaibigan natin sa DBM, ayusin ninyo naman ang inyong trabaho. Bilis-bilisan ninyo naman ang inyong mga pagkilos (Therefore, to our friends in the DBM, do your work properly. Speed up your actions),” the Speaker said amid audible applause from his congressman-colleagues.

“Gawin ninyo naman ang inyong mga tungkulin para maging maayos at maipatupad na ang mga programang sasagot sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa iba’t ibang mga rehiyon (Fulfill your duties so that the programs addressing the current needs of our people in different regions can be properly implemented)," added Dy, who even raised his voice for emphasis.

He warned that delays ultimately hurt the public, especially those waiting for government assistance. “Huwag ninyong sayangin ang oras at huwag na huwag nating paghintayin ang taumbayan (Do not waste time, and never make the people wait)."

“‘Ika nga, aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? Ang serbisyo ay may halaga at mararamdaman lamang kung ito’y naipararating sa tamang oras (As the saying goes, what use is grass if the horse is already dead? Service has value only when it is delivered at the right time)," underscored Dy.

In a press conference Monday, March 16, Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno said Dy ought to "lead". The NUP chairman was airing his frustrations over supposed reduced allocations and non-delivery of projects in their districts.

“Ang problema namin, hinaharap namin yung mga tao namin, mga kapitan namin araw-araw, tinatanong kami, 'Anong nangyari? Bakit walang naitutulong ngayon sa mga tao natin?' Wala kaming masagot," Puno said.

(Our problem is that we face our people, our barangay captains every day, and they ask us, ‘What happened? Why is there no help reaching our people now?’ We have no answer.)

Dy, a Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) stalwart, said Congress has done its part by passing laws and allocating funds for priority programs.

“It is clear that through collective efforts, the members of this chamber are ready and willing to pass the laws and provide the funds for the programs necessary to address the needs of our countrymen,” he said.

But he says legislation and funding are meaningless without timely implementation. "Upang maging ganap na epektibo ang mga hangaring ito, kinakailangan nating tiyakin na ang mga pondong inilaan ng Kongreso ay makarating sa mga mamamayan nang maagap."

(For these intentions to be truly effective, we must ensure that the funds allocated by Congress reach the people promptly.)

The Speaker explained that his remarks were meant to push for better coordination within government.

“Umaapela kami sa inyo hindi bilang kritiko kundi bilang katuwang ninyo sa mabilis at agarang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan (We appeal to you not as critics but as partners in the swift and immediate response to the needs of the people)," he said.

With 41 memhers, the NUP is the second biggest political party in the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, next only to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).