AMID the controversies surrounding anomalous infrastructure projects, the call to remove the unprogrammed appropriations budget took center stage during last night’s plenary budget deliberations.
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña pointed out that the two highest budget lines under the unprogrammed appropriations are still mainly for infrastructure projects: Support to foreign assisted projects for 97.3 billion pesos; and Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) for 80.9 billion pesos.
“Kung susumahin, halos 70% ng Unprogrammed Appropriations sa 2026 budget ay for infrastructure projects. We could have invested in health — pero lamang pa ng 3 billion ang Unprogrammed Appropriations kumpara sa DOH budget. We could have invested in education. Pero bakit puro infra pa rin?”, he said.
In previous years, SAGIP has been linked for the release of funds for controversial flood control projects. The budget sponsor, Rep. Mika Suansing, welcomed the call for the removal of SAGIP — but not yet of the entire unprogrammed appropriations budget.
In response, Akbayan Rep. Cendaña called against the passage of the budget with the unprogrammed appropriations: “We have to zero out the Unprogrammed Appropriations budget until we ensure that our institutions are immune from corruption. Huwag na nating payagan na patuloy na abusuhin ang kaban ng bayan.”
Further, he noted the 4-year delayed allowances for healthcare and non-healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is also listed under the unprogrammed appropriations: “Inuna pang i-release ang flood control budget kesa bayaran ang mga healthcare workers na nagbuwis ng buhay noong pandemic.”
