MANILA - Cash issues, not “punishment” of defiant House members, caused the supposed delays in fund releases for infrastructure and social programs in certain areas, according to at least two House members from the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Quezon 1st District Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Representative Kristine Singson-Meehan made the statement on Thursday, after the National Unity Party on Wednesday expressed “serious concerns” over supposed “withholding” of appropriated infra projects or “impounding” of social assistance like AICS and MAIP for certain districts, as they called for an end to the alleged practice of “punishing” House members “who do not follow the majority’s will”.
“Talking of 2025, 2026 may delay pa, ang dami pang unreleased na mga projects for all, as I’ve also discussed with some other members, not only from our party, maraming nade-delay pa. That was the guidance, na may cash issues pa. Saka siguro ‘yung collections. It could be that. But of course that’s the executive. Sila naman ang familiar with that. It’s the DBM who would know better sa cash management position ng executive,” Enverga said.
“Plus, there was the fuel crisis na they prioritize lang, ‘yung subsidies. So pinriority ‘yun. So whatever that’s usually being put down to everywhere, na-hold lang, kasi they prioritize, which everyone agreed na mauna ‘yung mga ‘yun,” Singson-Meehan added.
She and Enverga distanced the reported delays in fund releases for projects in certain areas from the House members’ vote on priority bills and major proceedings.
Singson-Meehan said even some districts represented by House members, who voted in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment experience this. While Enverga said some lawmakers perceived as “defiant” told him there were releases in their district.
“May mga nakakausap kasi ako na, ‘yung mga hindi supposedly sumusunod. I asked them kung may release sila, mayroon naman silang releases, and you can check siguro, di ba? As far as infrastructure projects are concerned, ang alam ko, may nare-release naman for all,” he said.
“Especially those ‘yung mga who abstained or did not vote, may release sila eh, as far as I’ve spoken to them... Alam ko may dumarating pa. May iba kaka-release lang daw, even despite not voting for the impeachment,” Enverga added.
“I think it’s in general. Some are just taking time. Even ‘yung mga nag-yes actually, nagfa-follow up sila sa amin for those that said yes during that big issue about the impeachment voting. Parang it’s all the same. If something is not being implemented, or something is being implemented, it’s for all, it’s happening in all districts… We don’t see a pattern kasi,” Singson-Meehan also said.
Asked about the supposed “punishment” on defiant House members, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan replied, “wala naman kaming ganoong problema sa minority”.
He also heard of the supposed delays in fund releases, but attributes it to possible cash flow issues.
“May naririnig akong ganoon, pero ang tingin ko rito… Kung kulang ng cash, medyo may delay ‘yan. Pero ang importante, habang gumagastos tayo, nangongolekta pa ang gobyerno sa taxes. ‘Pag mahirap ang cash flow, humihiram pa, umuutang pa, talagang may delay. Pero ang duration naman ng appropriation is two years,” Libanan said.
2027 House General Appropriations Bill
The House Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee met on Thursday to tackle the proposed amendments to the 2027 House General Appropriations Bill.
Libanan said the House minority supports augmenting the proposed 2027 budget for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program. Under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, the proposed funding for both programs were lower than this year’s budget.
“Limited fiscal space… Kung may tataasan, ‘yung tulong sa mga may sakit, ‘yung AICS, ‘yung TUPAD, kasi nandito pa tayo sa crisis. Mahal pa rin ang gasolina at diesel. At alam naman natin, ‘pag nagmahal ‘yon, ang lahat ng bilihin, magmamahal,” Libanan said.