MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino signed yesterday the P22.5-billion supplemental budget ensuring completion of certain projects and services disrupted by the abolition of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the supplemental budget was signed ahead of the 2015 General Appropriations Act at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang yesterday.
The Supreme Court has declared PDAF – then the official term for congressional pork barrel – unconstitutional.
The supplemental budget included P10 billion for the reconstruction of areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Of the amount, P7.99 billion had been allocated for permanent housing for affected residents.
Aquino said the government is sticking to its “build back better” principle to ensure residents are taken away from danger areas and “disaster resilient” infrastructure facilities are set up.
He also said families were given alternative livelihood at relocation sites.
Aquino thanked legislators for passing the national budget and the supplemental budget on time, especially Senate finance committee chairman Sen. Francis Escudero and House appropriations panel chief Rep. Isidro Ungab.
The supplemental budget will fund urgent projects like the housing component under the Comprehensive Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan for Yolanda survivors, approved only last July.