BEYOND BUDGET *Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.* When I was given the honor to serve our country as budget secretary, I already knew my “why.” It was to make a positive difference and push for fiscal reforms through policies and action. Recently, I wrote about how an open...
Government spending is vital to national growth. It is one of the four components of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The other three are consumer spending, business investment, and net exports. In the past two years, Statista reports that the ratio of government expenditure to GDP in the past three...
Northern Samar 1st district Rep. Paul Daza (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN) The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Actone of the landmark laws of the previous administration--is being wasted as far as Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Northern Samar 1st district Rep. Paul Daza is...
BEYOND BUDGET *Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.* “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” — Mahatma Ghandi Each of us may be from different backgrounds and upbringings, but as Filipinos, we're tied together by a common history and environment,...
BEYOND BUDGET *Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.* “How does it feel to be the first Muslim budget secretary and the only Muslim in this administration’s Cabinet?” That's a question I get a lot. Consistently, I always answer that I feel very honored for being able to represent and...
BEYOND BUDGET *Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.* Intense heat is really on in the country. Lately, we would hear parents reminding their children to always stay hydrated or indoors, while others choose to travel to cooler places! Indeed, climate change is an inescapable reality, as...
Government-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) has given electric cooperatives (ECs) up to May 15 this year to submit documents justifying their request for budget for their sitio electrification program (SEP) and other priority projects. In a statement to the media, NEA indicated...
BEYOND BUDGET *Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.* Last Friday April 21, which fittingly was Eid al-Fitr, I had the honor and privilege of delivering the keynote message at the mid-year commencement exercises of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). I am also grateful and...
BEYOND BUDGET *As-salamu alaykum!* Philosopher-novelist Ayn Rand once said, “Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” One thing the pandemic-induced health crisis and economic slowdown had magnified, is that survival depends on how...
DBM allots P1.4 B to support youth job seekers By JAMES A. LOYOLA The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured funding for the strategic programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that aim to provide jobs to Filipino youth. Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said they...
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that the government will pay the one-year health insurance premiums of senior citizens nationwide. In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said that DBM will release P42.93 billion to settle the health insurance premiums of over...
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is crossing his fingers that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would be able to source funds for the 100 percent increase in the monthly pension of indigent senior citizens. “In the face of the still elevated inflation, the doubling of...
