Gov't agencies ordered to speed up infra projects

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo ordered yesterday all the concerned government agencies to fast-track infrastructure projects to spur economic growth, following reports of delays in the implementation of various public works.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto reiterated that public spending should be increased in order to pump prime the economy, during yesterday’s National Economic and Development Authority Cabinet group meeting.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the funds for the projects were released, as early as January but for some reason the various government agencies have not been able to utilize these funds at a reasonable pace.

The Department of Agriculture was recently singled out during the budget hearings at the House of Representatives with the agency’s P2.6 billion in funds to build farm-to-market roads, which were identified as pork barrel funds.

Andaya clarified that the allocations were not pork barrel but part of the funding provided for under the General Appropriations Act to the DA for its farm-to-market roads.

He pointed out that the main issue is the slow pace at which the DA is utilizing these funds.

“It was released to the DA. It was not intended for pork barrel. The fact is it’s already September and these (farm-to-market roads) have not yet been implemented. From a management standpoint, this is something that has to be given attention,” Andaya said.

Andaya said that he has discussed the matter with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who has assured him that the projects would be implemented.

He had received reports that growth in infrastructure spending has fallen to negative levels because the projects were not being implemented.

In a phone patch during the press briefing of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita at Malacañang yesterday, Yap expressed surprise over the report on the P2.6 billion and its description as pork barrel funds.

Yap explained that there is continuous funding for the DA’s farm-to-market roads so it was inaccurate to come up with an exact figure such as the P2.6 billion that was reported.

“We are getting our regular line item appropriation under the GAA and we are spending it,” Yap said.

Andaya noted that economic growth was the center of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting during which the President emphasized the need to boost spending on infrastructure.

Infrastructure projects pave the way for the creation of more jobs and revenue for sectors such as construction, which in turn boosts economic growth.