THE PHILIPPINE ST
neurs ii\
By CH ISTINA MENDEZ
crease in the budget of Presi.
dent Duterte to P8.2 billion for
nextyeaq, saying it is necessary
to help him better address ter-
rorism and criminality.
Presidential spokesman Sal-
vadorPanelo yesterday said the
increase inthebudgetof the Of-
fice of the President (OP) would
bankroll efforts to make the
counbry abetterplace to live in.
'The additiohal amount is Robredo to P673 million for
also necessary to secure the
country from threats coming
from sources within and with-
out the country" he said.
The bulk of OP's mainte-
nance and other operating
expenses (MOOE) allocatioru
or P4.5 billion, will be for
confidential and intelligence
r WEDNESDAY I AUGUST 28,2019
expenses. The OP has "1,,250 for capital outlay will go down the greater number of Filipinos. He added there's no point genuine change to the natior
authorized positions, of which by PSa.2million toP427.5 mll- "The Palace reiterates that comparing Duterte's budget we will need the necessar
818 are filled. lion. the increase in the budget of with that of the previous Aqui- financial supporf" he said.
The other large operating - Panelo also said the Presi the Office of the President, no adrrrinisffation when "there
Su rvelllanee activitiei
expenses of the President's dent has a hands-on poliry in where ttle seat of power and was little to no substan'tial For Bayan Muna Rep. Car
office are P67A.7 million for addressing certain threats to supremarcy in governance improvement in governance."
Ios Zarate; howeve4 the mor
travel, P41"8.5 million,for rep- national security. lies, is nd:cessary in order to Before he stepped down,
than P8-billion budget for th
resentatio n, P239.5 million for "The intensified efforts of provide efficienf, meaningful former president Benigno OP would largely be used fc
supplies and materials, P221.6 this government, with the aiid effective public service to Aquino' III's budget was surveillance activities.
million for repairs and main- Office of the President at the the Filipino people," he said. pegged at P2.8 billion.
'
He said the huge sur
tenance, and P'1.44 million for helm, against criminality and 'The people have seen and
utilities. / various perils against the Phil-
National experienced inthe thr,ee years of
is divided into alldcation
emerElencies for "intelligence expenses
The President has proposed ippines' security and sover- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's arnounting to P4.8 billion, arr
an additional P1.5 million for eignty have indeed created a He also explained that the presidenry, an unprccedented provisions for "confidenti.e
the office of Vice President Leni changed environment in our President needed mor€ funds success in many fronts, espe- expenses" totaling P3.5 billior
society where the peop_le feel at his disposal especially ftu- in the aspect of law and He said President Dutert
nextyear. The Office of the Vice safe as they go about living ing national emergqncies irhd "iully as well as in the overall
orde4 would have at his dispose
President had a P558.2 million their daily,lives," Panelo said, calamities. public administration of the more than half of bothexpens
allocation in 20L8. 'nVe intend,to maintain such Panelo shared Executive goveffrm ent," Panelo said. items.
Funds for salaries in the an environmeprt and even im- Secretary Salvador Medi- 'The Palace seconds the Ex- "Based on budget docu
President's office will go up prove it in the rernaining year,s of aldea's observation that the ecutive Secretary's position on ments, the President will hav
from P974.7 million to P1.L2 the Duterte " he said. President's budget spending the matteq, knowing that with P2.25 billion in intelligenc
billion, while provisions for In a statement, Panelo as- complements ihe achiene- the strong resolve of the Presi- budget and another P2.25 bil
MO"OE will increase by P1.8 sured the public that the funds ments and accomplishments dent to pursue programs and lion in confidential fund," h
billion toP6.7 billion: Funding wouldbe used for the welfare of of his administration. policies that will finally bring added. - With fess Dia
\ pAqG *ert
I