Low DOST funding, lack of PhilHealth subsidy in 2025 budget sadden some senators | ABS-CBN
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Low DOST funding, lack of PhilHealth subsidy in 2025 budget sadden some senators
Low DOST funding, lack of PhilHealth subsidy in 2025 budget sadden some senators
MANILA — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was visibly disappointed with the final version of the 2025 budget approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee on Wednesday.
MANILA — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was visibly disappointed with the final version of the 2025 budget approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee on Wednesday.
Zubiri took exception to the budget of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which was reverted to the amount in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). DOST’s budget in the final version is P28.7 billion.
Zubiri took exception to the budget of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which was reverted to the amount in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). DOST’s budget in the final version is P28.7 billion.
“I’m just sad, ako nalulungkot ako dahil sa DOST budget hindi nabigyan ng additional. Ipinaglaban namin sa Senado na dagdagan sila ng almost P700-P800 million,” Zubiri said before today’s Senate session.
“I’m just sad, ako nalulungkot ako dahil sa DOST budget hindi nabigyan ng additional. Ipinaglaban namin sa Senado na dagdagan sila ng almost P700-P800 million,” Zubiri said before today’s Senate session.
(I'm just sad that the DOST was not given additional funding. We fought in the Senate to increase that by almsot 700-P800 million)
(I'm just sad that the DOST was not given additional funding. We fought in the Senate to increase that by almsot 700-P800 million)
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He said that the diminished budget would affect agencies like the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
He said that the diminished budget would affect agencies like the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
“Sumabog ang Bulkang Kanlaon noong isang araw. Kulang daw sila ng monitoring equipment. Wala na tayong madagdag doon... Kawawa rin ang PAGASA. Eh 'di ba sabi ni President we just got six typhoons in one month?” Zubiri explained.
“Sumabog ang Bulkang Kanlaon noong isang araw. Kulang daw sila ng monitoring equipment. Wala na tayong madagdag doon... Kawawa rin ang PAGASA. Eh 'di ba sabi ni President we just got six typhoons in one month?” Zubiri explained.
(Mount Kanlaon erupted the other day. Phivolcs said they lack monitoring equipment and we have no funding for additional equipment. PAGASA, too. Didn't the President just say we just got six typhoons in one month?)
(Mount Kanlaon erupted the other day. Phivolcs said they lack monitoring equipment and we have no funding for additional equipment. PAGASA, too. Didn't the President just say we just got six typhoons in one month?)
Phivolcs has an allocation of P887.8 million in the 2025 NEP while PAGASA has a proposed budget of P1.9 billion.
Phivolcs has an allocation of P887.8 million in the 2025 NEP while PAGASA has a proposed budget of P1.9 billion.
He said they should have at least been informed of the adjustment.
He said they should have at least been informed of the adjustment.
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“We could have lobbied for the increase of their budget. I’m just disappointed as the chairman of the subcommittee handling the budget of the DOST,” Zubiri said.
“We could have lobbied for the increase of their budget. I’m just disappointed as the chairman of the subcommittee handling the budget of the DOST,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri said if he had to vote for the budget, he will vote with a “heavy heart”.
Zubiri said if he had to vote for the budget, he will vote with a “heavy heart”.
PHILHEALTH ZERO SUBSIDY
Sen. JV Ejercito meanwhile, expressed concern for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) which did not get any subsidy allocation for next year.
Sen. JV Ejercito meanwhile, expressed concern for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) which did not get any subsidy allocation for next year.
He said he will talk to Senate leaders to resolve the matter since the subsidy is mandated by law.
He said he will talk to Senate leaders to resolve the matter since the subsidy is mandated by law.
“Mayroon naman silang P600-billion reserve fund but 'yun nga lang 'yung legality ang baka ma-question kasi nga nasa batas 'yan na it’s already earmarked,” Ejercito said.
“Mayroon naman silang P600-billion reserve fund but 'yun nga lang 'yung legality ang baka ma-question kasi nga nasa batas 'yan na it’s already earmarked,” Ejercito said.
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(They have the P600-billion reserve fund, but the legality of that could come into question because that is already earmarked in the law)
(They have the P600-billion reserve fund, but the legality of that could come into question because that is already earmarked in the law)
Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, acknowledged that there is a law for the PhilHealth subsidy but said there are many laws that are unfunded because the government lacks money.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, acknowledged that there is a law for the PhilHealth subsidy but said there are many laws that are unfunded because the government lacks money.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, however, supported the zero subsidy for Philhealth.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, however, supported the zero subsidy for Philhealth.
“I’m in favor of that. Kasi hindi nagagastos 'yung PhilHealth. Huwag tayong bigay nang bigay ng pera sa PhilHealth tapos 'di nila magagastos. And during the deliberation here, it’s not very clear kung ano 'yung mga reforms na ginagawa ng Philhealth. 'Yan ang weakest link natin sa health system natin,” Gatchalian said.
“I’m in favor of that. Kasi hindi nagagastos 'yung PhilHealth. Huwag tayong bigay nang bigay ng pera sa PhilHealth tapos 'di nila magagastos. And during the deliberation here, it’s not very clear kung ano 'yung mga reforms na ginagawa ng Philhealth. 'Yan ang weakest link natin sa health system natin,” Gatchalian said.
(PhilHealth doesn't spend the money. Let's not keep giving PhilHealth money that they end up not spending. During the deliberation here, it was not very clear what reforms PhilHealth was implementing. That's the weakest link in our health system)
(PhilHealth doesn't spend the money. Let's not keep giving PhilHealth money that they end up not spending. During the deliberation here, it was not very clear what reforms PhilHealth was implementing. That's the weakest link in our health system)
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He believes the lack of allocation will not affect the premium payments for indigents since there is still a reserve fund.
He believes the lack of allocation will not affect the premium payments for indigents since there is still a reserve fund.
What Gatchalian is disappointed about is the removal of their amendment for the free higher education budget.
What Gatchalian is disappointed about is the removal of their amendment for the free higher education budget.
“May shortfall kasi sa free higher education. It's about almost P4 billion. So nag-propose kami sa iba't-ibang [State Universities and Colleges], may listahan kami ng shortfall. And accepted 'yan here in the Senate. Inaccept ni Chairman Grace Poe. Pagdating sa bicam tinanggal,” Gatchalian said.
“May shortfall kasi sa free higher education. It's about almost P4 billion. So nag-propose kami sa iba't-ibang [State Universities and Colleges], may listahan kami ng shortfall. And accepted 'yan here in the Senate. Inaccept ni Chairman Grace Poe. Pagdating sa bicam tinanggal,” Gatchalian said.
(There was a shortfall of around P4 billion for free higher education, so we proposed more funding for some SUCs. That was accepted in the Senate but removed at the bicam)
(There was a shortfall of around P4 billion for free higher education, so we proposed more funding for some SUCs. That was accepted in the Senate but removed at the bicam)
AKAP, DPWH
Poe assured the publci that the budget for the "Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program" (AKAP) is not discretionary.
Poe assured the publci that the budget for the "Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program" (AKAP) is not discretionary.
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AKAP, an insertion made by the House of Representatives, was deleted in the Senate’s budget version but restored in the bicameral version, with the budget slashed to P26 billion from an original P39 billion.
AKAP, an insertion made by the House of Representatives, was deleted in the Senate’s budget version but restored in the bicameral version, with the budget slashed to P26 billion from an original P39 billion.
“Hindi puwedeng gamitin 'yun para sa mayroon kang personal (This is not for personal use),” Poe said.
“Hindi puwedeng gamitin 'yun para sa mayroon kang personal (This is not for personal use),” Poe said.
Gatchalian said the AKAP funding will not be used as pork barrel of lawmakers. "Pork barrel" is a term for the discretionary Priority Development Assistance Fund that the Supreme Court said was unconstitutional because it allowed the allocation of funds beyond budget lesgislation.
Gatchalian said the AKAP funding will not be used as pork barrel of lawmakers. "Pork barrel" is a term for the discretionary Priority Development Assistance Fund that the Supreme Court said was unconstitutional because it allowed the allocation of funds beyond budget lesgislation.
“As long as it falls within the guidelines. Kasi yung [Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations], the way it's designed is for indigents. Yung AKAP is for we call middle class and near poor,” Gatchalian said.
“As long as it falls within the guidelines. Kasi yung [Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations], the way it's designed is for indigents. Yung AKAP is for we call middle class and near poor,” Gatchalian said.
“So, as long as yung mga beneficiaries will fall under the requirements, which is a certain income, then okay naman yan.”
“So, as long as yung mga beneficiaries will fall under the requirements, which is a certain income, then okay naman yan.”
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Gatchalian's brother Rex is secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which will implement AICS and AKAP.
Gatchalian's brother Rex is secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which will implement AICS and AKAP.
As for the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Poe explained that the more than P280 billion increase is to fund various projects from flood control to foreign assisted projects.
As for the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Poe explained that the more than P280 billion increase is to fund various projects from flood control to foreign assisted projects.
“As long as it will be within the development plan, okay naman yun dahil in line naman yun with development. We need to spend for infrastructure,” Gatchalian said of the increase.
“As long as it will be within the development plan, okay naman yun dahil in line naman yun with development. We need to spend for infrastructure,” Gatchalian said of the increase.
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