The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P690.26 billion as of end-September for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response programs of various implementing agencies.
Of the amount, the government obligated P637.97 billion, or 92.4 percent, and disbursed P570.04 billion (89.4 percent), the DBM said in a statement yesterday.
The DBM said additional releases during the third quarter were charged from the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA) following the expiration of the validity of funds under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws.
These include the payment for the COVID-19 special risk allowance of public and private health workers, purchase of COVID-19 vaccine ancillaries, procurement of RT-PCR testing kits and renewal of contracts for hiring of healthcare professionals, among others, the agency added.
Under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, agencies have obligated P204.07 billion (95.3 percent) out of the P214.12 billion allotment released, the DBM said.
This leaves a balance of P10.05 billion, of which only P4.56 billion can still be utilized by implementing agencies until December 31, 2021. The rest was reverted to the general fund, following the expiration of the special appropriations and 2019 continuing appropriations last June 30, 2021.
Meanwhile, under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 1, agencies have obligated a total of P369.08 billion from the P387.93 billion allotment released to them.
The DBM said funds amounting to P10.10 billion, which were charged against the 2020 GAA, are still valid for disbursement until the end of this year.
Other releases outside the Bayanihan laws have also reached P88.21 billion, a large chunk of which was charged from the F2021 GAA amounting to P81.75 billion, the DBM said.
Agencies have until December 31, 2021, to obligate and disburse the remaining P23.38 billion and P42.84 billion, respectively.
