Duterte’s extension of unused 2019 budget lauded

MANILA, Philippines — A key leader of the House of Representatives has expressed optimism that President Duterte’s decision to extend the unutilized budget this year until December 2020 is on the right track, as this will further boost the country’s strong economy.

“Both the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) amounting to P4.1 trillion and the newly signed Republic Act 11464 extending the 2019 budget will propel the economy to a higher trajectory next year,” Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte said.

“These initiatives would let the Duterte administration all the more accelerate state spending on infrastructure and human capital development which, in turn, are sure to further boost the growth momentum and create more jobs for Filipinos,” he added.

“Such accelerated spending via the would-be enacted 2020 GAA (General Appropriations Act) plus the remaining funds under the 2019 GAA – and at a level never before reached in past administrations – would set off a double-barrel economic stimulus guaranteed to boost the growth momentum, attract local and offshore investments and create a lot more jobs,” Villafuerte said.

He said the approval of measures by the House under Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano best illustrates lawmakers’ unequivocal support for the vision of Duterte to sustain the momentum of the economy.

The Camarines Sur congressman said that both the GAB 2020 and RA 11464 will enable government to sustain the catch-up spending strategy for this year’s third quarter to make up for the delay in the passage of the 2019 GAA.

Villafuerte likewise pointed out that the rise in the satisfaction and trust ratings of Cayetano in the latest survey is clear proof that a “majority of Filipinos recognize and appreciate the hard work that the Cayetano-led House has been doing.”