By ANGELA CELIS
The national government’s subsidies to government-owned and -controlled corporations as of end-November declined by 13.03 percent versus the year ago level, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury showed.
According to the latest cash operations report, subsidies in January to November totaled to P163.41 billion, down from the P187.86 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.
The lion’s share of the subsidies released to state-run firms, amounting to P76.97 billion, went to Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth).
The subsidy support to PhilHealth is often allocated for the payment of health insurance premiums of indigent beneficiaries.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which is responsible for irrigation development and management, is the second biggest recipient for the period with P34.18 billion.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) completes the list of top three recipients for the month with P17.59 billion.
Other major recipients are the National Food Authority with P7 billion and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) with P4.85 billion.
In November alone, subsidies to state-firms amounted to P12.33 billion, 45.88 percent down from the year ago level of P22.78 billion.
NIA was the top recipient for the month with P3.97 billion while other billionaire recipients are the BCDA and NHA, with P2.79 billion and P1.66 billion, respectively.
