DA hopeful on proposed P213-B budget

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture is optimistic it will get its proposed P213-billion allocation next year following assurance from President Duterte himself.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Duterte recently vowed he would grant the agency’s proposal despite earlier reports of a possible budget cut for 2018.

“This is what the President said, ‘I will give the DA a budget level similar to that of DepEd (Education), DPWH (Public Works and Highways), and DOH (Health)’,” Piñol told reporters in a chance interview yesterday.

Earlier this week, Piñol announced that the Department of Budget and Management reduced its allocations for the rice and corn, and credit facility program.

The rice and corn program will get the biggest chunk of the proposed budget. Other programs include mechanization, small-scale irrigation and financing.

But just last Wednesday, Piñol said Duterte promised to give him the budget he proposed.

“The [three other agencies] have approximately P600 billion each. But we are not asking for that [same level]. We are only asking for P213 billion for 2018,” Piñol said.

“I will submit to the President. He instructed me to submit the budget [to him],” he added.

This year, the DA has a budget allocation of P46 billion.

Piñol is pushing for a higher allocation, saying a possible budget cut for 2018 will likely affect productivity and delay the government’s efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency in three years.

The Agri chief said he was no longer in favor of returning the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) under the DA’s umbrella.

“I don’t want it [anymore], it will just give me headaches. Look at what’s happening. I think it’s also providential. If those controversies erupted and they are under me, it would entail a lot of explaining,” Piñol said.

To recall, Piñol submitted a formal letter to the President last December that seeks the return of the four agencies to the DA.

“I leave it all up to the President but I prefer that they will not be returned [to the DA],” Piñol said.