Defensor urges DBM to list budget cuts for COVID-19 response

Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to disclose specific budget cuts made for non-essential items that are being redirected to the COVID-19 response.

Defensor supports Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's appeal to boost funding for the fight against the pandemic by reducing spending on non-essential programs, activities, and projects (PAPs).

He proposed that the DBM and other agencies create and publish a consolidated list of affected PAPs on their websites to ensure public transparency.

The lawmaker suggested that P160 billion could be raised by implementing a 10-percent cut on maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), which total P1.6 trillion in the 2020 budget.

Defensor specifically cited that the P19.4 billion allocated for official travels could be repurposed for the anti-COVID-19 fund.

He also pointed out that substantial funds for training, scholarships, representation, hiring consultants, advertising, and donations could be reallocated to address the pandemic's needs.

Defensor questioned the allocation of P41.8 billion for donations when hospitals are in dire need of personal protective equipment (PPE).

He suggested using the P29 billion allocated for consultants to provide additional benefits to frontline health workers and hire more medical personnel.