Aquino administration hopes budget ready before yearend

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time in 11 years, the national budget may be passed before the end of the year, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday. 

“This would be a good indication of the goodwill and cooperation between the executive and the legislature,” Abad said.                                                                                              

He appealed to senators to give the budget for the conditional cash transfer a chance. The Senate is holding plenary debates on the cash transfer scheme starting Tuesday.                                                                                 

“We ask our senators to give the Aquino government a chance to implement its programs to address poverty and strategically position our country for economic expansion,” Abad said.                                                                                    

The P21.9-billion conditional cash transfer program would provide a monthly subsidy of P1,400 to 4.6 million indigent families if they send their children to school.                          

He noted that the House of Representatives had included special provisions to strengthen oversight during the implementation phase of the project as well as for the realignment of funds to other priority areas such as health, education and livelihood if it is proven that the funds are not effectively used.