Underspending slows down economy

Senate President Franklin Drilon said today that 20 percent of the economy relies on government spending thus the failure of several government agencies to push through with their programs and projects already budgeted by Congress is saddening.

The underspending of such agencies like the education and social welfare departments, and even the Commission on Elections (Comelec), results in the country failing to meet its target to expand the national economy, he said.

“We failed to meet our GDP (gross domestic product) target because of the underspending of the agencies. The only agency I see utilizing its allocation is the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) under Secretary Singson,” said Drilon in Filipino.

In tackling the 2016 budget, Drilon said lawmakers would determine the root causes of underspending for which some sectors want concerned officials of the underspending agencies to be held accountable for.

“But just to be fair, because of the Supreme Court decisions on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), many of our colleagues in government are just being careful so as not to be dragged before the Ombudsman,” he added.

“A little mistake and then find themselves before the Ombudsman. That’s why government employees are being careful, but that’s not an excuse not to utilize the funds.”

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