DBM vows gradual release of ‘pork’

Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin promised yesterday to gradually release nearly P7 billion in pork barrel funds to more than 200 members of the House of Representatives.

She made the promise after presenting the proposed P804 billion budget for 2003 to House officials led by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II and Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Lakas, Camarines Sur), appropriations committee chairman.

During the presentation ceremonies, De Venecia urged the courts to resolve as soon as possible the ownership question over coconut levy funds amounting to more than P100 billion and $700 million Marcos deposits held in escrow by the Philippine National Bank.

The money could be used to support the budget and narrow the fiscal deficit, he said.

Boncodin told congressmen who have been complaining about their frozen pork barrel that she is consulting with their leaders to work out a system of "gradual releases."

De Venecia assured his colleagues that "there will be no delay in the public works program in your respective constituencies."

Last week, the budget secretary informed House members in a closed-door meeting that the congressional pork barrel has been frozen because state coffers were empty and the government is in fact facing a huge deficit.

In calling for an early resolution of the question of ownership of coconut levy and Marcos funds, De Venecia said "we need rapid revenue mobilization actions to solve the budget deficit problem."

He said the ownership issue has been pending for many years and that it’s time the courts should have settled it.

"The deficit is not a runaway horse. It is manageable and will disappear, leading to the eventual balancing of the budget, if rapid revenue mobilization actions are undertaken," he said.

At the same time, the Speaker urged the Senate to pass several House-approved bills, including the proposed Securitization Act and the Special Purpose Asset Vehicles Act, which he said could bring in billions in foreign investments and could free the non-performing loans and other assets of the banking systems.

For his part, Gonzales said there should be a stronger political will to collect taxes and other revenues to support the national budget.

"The government should continue with the reforms initiated by resigned Commissioner Rene Bañez (of the Bureau of Internal Revenue)," he said.

"Mob rule should not be allowed to block or impede these reforms," Gonzales added, apparently referring to the protests mounted by BIR personnel against Bañez’s initiatives.

The proposed 2003 budget has for its theme, "Investing in a Strong Republic."

Boncodin said President Arroyo is seeking funds in her budget proposal for the hiring of additional soldiers and policemen, and the upgrading of salaries in the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police.

The Department of National Defense will get the biggest budgetary increase of about P4 billion, from P38.8 billion this year to P42.5 billion.

The Department of Public Works and Highways will receive an increase of more than P3 billion, from P48.3 billion this year to P51.6 billion next year.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (including the PNP) will get an additional P2 billion, from P42.3 billion to P44.5 billion.

In contrast, the Department of Education will receive a P1 billion adjustment, from P103.3 billion to P104.4 billion.

The other agencies with large outlays next year are Department of Health, P11.4 billion (from P12 billion this year); Department of Transportation and Communications, P9.9 billion (from P12.2 billion); Department of Finance, P6.6 billion (from 6.5 billion); Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P6.5 billion (from P6.9 billion), and Department of Justice, P5.1 billion (same as this year).

In a related development, Bataan Rep. Antonio Roman said Bañez’s resignation "may unnecessarily strengthen the perception here and abroad that our revenue agencies are so rotten that they are beyond reform."

"Why? Because every time someone crusades for good government, he gets bitten. I wonder who is next. Will it be the newly appointed commissioner of Customs who is also for reform?" he asked.