Palace: P77-B unused 2019 budget for Covid-19

Malacañang announced on Monday that there is around PHP77 billion worth of unused funds from the 2019 national budget available for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response.

Senator Panfilo Lacson had suggested using appropriations from last year’s budget and pork insertions to support Filipinos during the enhanced community quarantine until May 15.

Lacson claimed there were PHP900 billion in unused funds, but Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that only PHP77 billion was left according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.

Roque emphasized that while PHP77 billion is available, the government still needs authorization from Congress to tap more funds for the COVID-19 response.