The proposed P4.506 trillion national budget for 2021, including a P72.5 billion allocation for the coronavirus vaccine acquisition, has been signed into law by President Duterte Monday in a bid to facilitate the country's economic recovery.

In a ceremony held in Malacañang, the President said he was "happy and proud" to sign the national budget and promised its efficient use to mitigate the adverse impact of pandemic on public health and the economy.

Republic Act No. 11518, or the General Appropriations Act of 2021, aims to bankroll the government's operations, including enhancing efforts to respond to the pandemic and stimulate economic revival next year.

"I stand before you today happy and proud to sign the 2021 General Appropriations Act. This important piece of legislation attests to the importance of an active and fruitful collaboration between the Executive and the Legislative branches of government, especially at this time when the health and welfare of our people are at stake," Duterte said in his remarks.

"As we look forward with hope for the coming year, let me assure the public that this administration will ensure the efficient use of our resources through a sound fiscal policy that will enable us to overcome the debilitating effects of the pandemic on public health and our economy," he said.

Duterte asserted that every centavo of the national budget must be spent "to ensure the nation's recovery, resilience and sustainability." "Let this therefore serve as an assurance to the Filipino: This coming year, we intend to recover as one nation," he said.

With the passage of the national budget, Duterte also said he was pleased that the government could pursue Build Build Build infrastructure program, revitalize industry and service sectors, as well as support social services projects.

He recognized that one of the most important items in the 2021 budget is the allocation of P72.5 billion for the purchase, storage, transportation, and distribution of COVID vaccines.

Duterte also noted that the prompt ratification of 2021 national budget was also a testament of commitment of government leaders to set aside "divisive partisan politics." "Indeed at this crucial juncture in our history, we can no longer afford to engage in politics of division, hate and finger-pointing," he said.

Duterte likewise commended the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) led by Secretary Wendel Avisado as well as civil society partners for their sharing knowledge and technical expertise in crafting the budget that will "enable us to heal, rebuild and resume our economic upward trajectory."

"I cannot stress this enough every centavo of this budget must be spent to ensure the nation's recovery, resilience and sustainability. Let me therefore serve as an assurance to the Filipino people that this coming year, we intend to recover as one nation.

Asked if the President vetoed certain items in the 2021 national budget, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he has no information on the matter.

Earlier, Roque said some portions in the proposed budget were "recommended for veto." He declined to discuss the items supposedly found questionable by the Palace.

Roque earlier said the President is expected to scrutinize the budget proposal and would not hesitate to exercise his veto power if he finds any irregular item in the budget bill.

Among the lawmakers present in the signing ceremony at the Palace were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Christopher Go, Juan Edgardo Angara and Francis Tolentino, and House Majority Floor Leader Representative Martin Romualdez.

Reset, Rebound, Recover
Carrying the theme “Reset, Rebound, and Recover: Investing for Resiliency and Sustainability," Secretary Wendel E. Avisado said the 2021 General appropriations Act (GAA) will help the nation reset by addressing the pandemic, rebound by boosting infrastructure development and by generating job opportunities, as well as rebuild by assisting communities adapt to the post-pandemic life.

By sectors

By sectors, the social services accounted for the largest bulk of the budget, with P1.668 trillion, followed by economic services – including the infrastructure projects – with P1.323.1 trillion, general public services with P747.8 trillion, debt burden with P560.2 billion, and defense with P206.8 billion.

In line with the Constitution, the education sector will continue to receive the largest portion of the national budget to the tune of P751.7 billion, or 16.7 percent of the total.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will follow suit with P695.7 billion and P249.3 billion, respectively.

The Department of Health (DOH), being the primary government arm in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, will receive P210.2 billion which is 19.6 percent higher than this year's allocation.

The DOH is followed by the Department of National Defense (DND) with P205.8 billion, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with P176.9 billion, Department of Transportation (DOTr) with P87.9 billion, Department of Agriculture (DA) with P71.0 billion, The Judiciary with P45.3 billion, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with P37.1 billion.

Avisado said the 2021 GAA will prioritize health-related COVID-19 response programs to address the continuing threat of the pandemic.

"To achieve the mission in providing health care for all, budgetary support is provided for the National Health Insurance Program (P71.4 billion) to subsidize the health insurance premiums of 13 million indigent families and seven million senior citizens," Avisado said.

"Meanwhile, the Human Resources for Health Program is allotted P16.6 billion for the deployment of doctors, nurses and other health workers to disadvantaged communities and national hospitals," he added.

To ensure the safety of the health workers, the budget chief said P4.7 billion is allocated for the procurement of more than two million sets of personal protective equipment for hospitals, laboratories and regional swab centers.

An additional budget of P1 billion is appropriated for the procurement of 861,720 GeneExpert cartridges to supplement the fast and accurate testing of COVID-19 cases.

Around P7.8 billion is allocated for the repair, upgrading, completion, and new construction of Barangay Health Stations, Rural Health Units, and Polyclinics; upgrading of hospital equipment, laboratories and quarantine facilities in different regions; provision of medical transport in different regions; and monitoring of Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) projects.

Likewise, some P283 million is also allotted for the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines which aims to undertake studies on novel, emerging and re-emerging viruses.

To improve health data systems, P51.56 million is allotted for disease surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19 and other similar respiratory infections.

"More importantly, some P2.5 billion is allocated under the DOH budget and a further P70 billion is provided under the FY 2021 Unprogrammed Appropriations for COVID-19 vaccine procurement and logistics," Avisado said.

Genalyn Kabiling & Chino Leyco

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