By Pexcel John Bacon
THE House Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee (BARSc) will begin formal deliberations on the 2027 national budget on Thursday, with the 58-member National Unity Party (NUP) set to push for special provisions amid concerns over funding implementation and release.
At a briefing on Wednesday, the NUP said its members attended a preliminary BARSc meeting to discuss the mechanics and flow of the budget review, including requests from government agencies that may be considered by the subcommittee.
The subcommittee did not yet tackle substantive amendments that the NUP wants to propose to the 2027 national budget, Guimaras Rep. Joaquin Carlos Rahman A. Nava said. Bataan Rep. Albert C. Garcia, senior vice-chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, separately told reporters that it was just a regular informal discussion before official meetings.
Antipolo Rep. and NUP Chairman Ronaldo V. Puno said the party was still finalizing its proposed special provisions and other recommendations, which NUP lawmakers would bring up before the BARSc.
“We will finalize our special provisions within the next few days,” Mr. Puno said, adding that the party could have them ready by early next week.
The NUP has raised concerns over the implementation and release of funds for infrastructure and social services, including the treatment of projects tagged “For Later Release” (FLR), the release of assistance funds, and the allocation of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
The party said it wants rules governing the release and implementation of appropriations to be clearly stated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), rather than left to discretionary decisions during budget execution.
While the party understands the fiscal constraints facing the government, Mr. Puno said they want assurances that funds approved by Congress will actually be released and implemented.
He also raised concerns over the implementation of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects, saying the agency’s recent organizational changes had contributed to delays.
Mr. Puno said he supports DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon and the reforms being undertaken at the agency, but said the NUP wanted explanations and solutions for projects that had been delayed or classified as “non-implementable.”
The NUP has also proposed changes to the rules governing the LGSF, including the use of an objective formula based on factors such as population, poverty, income classification, fiscal capacity and infrastructure gaps.
The party suggests that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) publish the formula and allocations and to prevent additional eligibility requirements from being imposed beyond those provided in the GAA.
Mr. Puno said he discussed the party’s concerns with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos on two occasions, hoping to prevent the House leadership from being “blindsided” by the NUP’s position. According to him, Mr. Marcos did not object to the NUP expressing its views and did not subscribe to a “code of silence” in the House.
NUP VOTEMr. Puno said the party had not yet decided whether its members would vote as a bloc on the 2027 budget because its position could still change depending on how its concerns are addressed.
The party said some of its concerns could also be shared by lawmakers from other political parties, but it would seek broader support once its proposed special provisions had been finalized.
Among its proposals, the NUP is seeking the release of infrastructure funds authorized under the 2025 and 2026 national budgets, synchronization of the DBM’s Special Allotment Release Orders with the DPWH Central Office Sub-Allotment Advice, and restrictions on the use of FLR tagging.
It also wants appropriations for social assistance programs, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients, to be released subject to existing legal and technical requirements.
The NUP also wants clearer rules for unprogrammed appropriations, including a prohibition on their release based solely on projected revenues.
The party said its final position on the 2027 GAA would depend on the resolution of what it described as fundamental concerns on the allocation and implementation of the national budget.
Meanwhile, Mr. Garcia said the House had a tight timetable because the chamber needs to complete the budget process before the measure is transmitted to the Senate.
He said the BARSc could hold marathon sessions depending on the number of amendments and recommendations that lawmakers would raise.
Mr. Garcia also said the Appropriations panel had heard concerns similar to those raised by the NUP during earlier budget discussions. He said the committee would consider amendments from various sources, including agencies, civil society groups and lawmakers defending their respective department’s budgets.