President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has underscored the importance of ensuring that the national budget allocates sufficient funding for foreign-assisted projects, warning that budget “insertions” have jeopardized vital infrastructure initiatives and damaged the country’s credibility with international financial institutions.
In Episode 3 of the BBM Podcast, aired Monday, President Marcos revealed that several foreign-assisted projects were stripped of funding during last year’s congressional budget deliberations.
“Oo, ‘yung pinakamalaking naging problema ‘yung foreign-assisted projects, tinanggal halos lahat nung funding,” the President said.
“Kailangan natin ibalik ‘yun dahil importante ‘yung mga foreign-assisted projects. At saka sinisira pati ‘yan ang reputation natin,” President Marcos added.
Insertions refer to amendments made by lawmakers to the proposed national budget submitted by the Executive branch.
According to the President, the most troubling aspect was that non-priority projects were funded under unprogrammed appropriations—allocations that often require borrowing.
“Utang ‘yun. Nangungutang tayo para mangurakot itong mga ito. Sobra na ‘yun. Sobra na ‘yun,” the President said.
President Marcos reiterated his firm stance that he would rather operate under a reenacted budget than approve a General Appropriations bill that deviates from the administration’s priority programs or tolerates misuse of public funds.
“Well, yes. I am willing to reenact the budget if that’s what we’ll have to do. I made New Year’s Day the hard deadline; I’m sure we will find a way. I’m sure we will find a way,” the President said.
While acknowledging Congress’ constitutional power over the budget process, Marcos emphasized the executive department’s duty to ensure public funds serve the people.
“Hindi nawawala, nawawaldas, nananakaw ang pera ng tao. Iyon lang naman ang habol namin,” the Chief Executive stressed.
According to data from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), 44 infrastructure projects—mainly in the transportation sector—funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) are currently delayed.
Lawmakers have flagged the delays, noting that the government incurs millions of pesos in commitment fees due to undisbursed foreign loans.
The government is required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of foreign loans when projects are delayed. | PND
