The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P653.43 billion as of April 15, to support the implementation of various projects, activities and programs in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Of this amount, P387.17 billion was released pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan I), the DBM said in a statement yesterday.
Implementing agencies reported that they have already obligated P358.24 billion and disbursed P339.65 billion, thus corresponding to a 92.53 percent obligation rate and 94.81 percent disbursement rate, respectively.
Releases under RA No. 11465 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II), meanwhile, amounted to P259.80 billion.
Of this, P132.65 billion has been obligated with only P93.31 billion disbursed based on agency reports submitted to the DBM. This translates to a 51.06 percent obligation rate and 70.34 percent disbursement rate.
In addition to the releases made to support the Bayanihan Laws, the DBM has also released P6.46 billion for various COVID-19 projects, activities and programs upon the expiration of Bayanihan I, with P4.17 billion already obligated (64.56 percent) and P3.22 billion disbursed (77.28 percent) as of April 15.
According to the DBM, the said releases were charged against regular funds under the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Agencies may still utilize fund releases sourced from the 2020 GAA until December 31, 2021 pursuant to RA No. 11520.
Meanwhile, fund releases charged against Section 10 of RA No. 11465 are still valid for obligation and disbursement until June 30, 2021 by virtue of RA No. 11519 which extended the availability of appropriations authorized under the Bayanihan II Law,” the DBM said.
“Upon the expiration of the Bayanihan Laws, all unreleased appropriations shall lapse while undisbursed funds shall revert to the unappropriated surplus of the general fund,” the agency added. – Angela Celis
