House to allow social media in budget talks

MANILA, Philippines — Netizens can now join deliberations on the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 when the House of Representatives starts its hearings tomorrow, in the spirit of transparency, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said.

“We are the House of the People. We will be discussing the people’s money so people should have a voice. They should be able to give us their opinion, tell us what they want us to prioritize and witness the process firsthand,”  Cayetano  told reporters yesterday.

The Taguig congressman said the House leadership would allow the direct participation of the people, which he called a testament of “transparency and accountability to its constituents.”

Cayetano said Congress is taking advantage of the increased use of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic to invite people to join the discussions not just as an audience, but as direct participants.

He also believes the move can help “counter misinformation prevalent on social media.”

The House appropriations committee will start scrutinizing the spending measure that the Department of Budget and Management, through Secretary Wendel Avisado, has submitted for approval.

“We will scrutinize this budget in light of the government’s promise to have this budget felt by our people,” panel chairman Rep. Eric Go Yap said. “Today is a symbol where we will buckle down to work as public servants.”

The House economic team also wants an increase in the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget by about half a trillion pesos.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said resident economists of the chamber have proposed that the 2021 budget be increased to P5 trillion to fund crucial measures for economic recovery of the nation from the recession caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Our economic team in Congress, after studying our shrinking economy this 2020, thinks that another P500 to P600 billion is needed to save businesses in the country. This will give enough lifeline for the business sector to survive and give employment,” the economist-lawmaker said.

The 1-Pacman representative explained that the proposed budget would be enough only to cover administrative or overhead costs of the whole executive, legislative and judicial branches of government for maintenance and other operating expenses and personnel services as well as government projects next year. – Edu Punay