MANILA, Philippines - The House has completed the formation of the 25-man congressional oversight committee on public expenditures to monitor the disbursement of this year’s P1.54 trillion national budget.
The formation of the panel by Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte was in compliance with Section 98 of Republic Act 10147, or the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which mandated the creation of the oversight committee on public expenditures to be composed of House members and senators.
The panel is chaired by Cavite Rep. Emilio Abaya, chairman of the House appropriations committee, and includes members of the chamber’s opposition bloc led by House minority leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
The committee is primarily concerned with all matters relating to the coordination of executive development planning and congressional action specifically to ensure that government funds are spent in accordance with the law.
Belmonte earlier said the formation of the oversight committee was part of the House’s thrust for good governance, including close coordination as well as checks and balances between the Executive branch and Congress.
Abaya said the provision in the GAA was “in response to the clamor for congressional oversight in the budget so we can monitor whether it is used according to law and according to procedure.”
“This committee is essential in ensuring that government follows ‘ang daang matuwid (the straight path),’ one of the tasks that President Aquino set for his administration,” Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco, one of the members of the panel, said.
Among the primary responsibilities of the committee will be to safeguard that the national budget, as described by the GAA, adheres to its prescribed schedule of spending, members of the panel said.
Haresco however stated that the budget is meant to fund development of various sectors, leading to the overall development of the country and its citizens.
“This is something we should not overlook,” he said. “The intent is always for the development of the country and the betterment of its Filipino lives.”
He proposed that the committee “engage the advise, experience, and wisdom,” of professionals and members of the academe for valuable inputs.
“Monitoring is essential. The diversion of monies can easily mean the marginalization of another sector. In real terms, the loss of funding may mean that people will go hungry, have no roofs over their heads, or have no access to medical aid,” Haresco said.
Other members of the panel are Manila Rep. Zenaida Angping, Zambales Rep. Milagros Magysaysay, Malabon City Rep. Veronique Lacson-Noel, Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr.