Gov't has sufficient funds for military, police, recovery of Marawi City – DBM chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12): Gov't has sufficient funds for military, police, recovery of Marawi City – DBM chief

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno has assured that government has enough funds for the military and police in support to the fight against terror and crackdown operations against criminality launched by extremist and lawless groups.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno said, “as of now, we do not have to change the budget as we have many sources where we can draw funds,” to provide logistical support in the military operations.

He also said that there are funds that can help finance the recovery of Marawi City which is devastated in the clashes between the military and Maute terrorist group and their sympathizers.

Diokno assured that “the next budget would also include funds for the recovery and rehabilitation of the devastated Islamic city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur.

“It is vital for our government to maintain and sustain peace and order in our land as President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized, as this is the primary factor the country has to prioritize to achieve development,” he said.

The DBM Secretary said that they recently received briefing from AFP Brigadier General Padilla that the soldiers have intensified their operations to wipe out the Maute terrorist members.

The military briefing also assured that there was a big chance the AFP could liberate Marawi City on Monday, coinciding with the country’s “119th Independence Day” observance.

“Once peace is restored in Marawi, the programs and projects are just there waiting for these developments to take place in the city,” Diokno assured.

He mentioned the PAMANA Program or the “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” (a program towards a peaceful and prosperous community) with a national budget of Php 8.1 billion this year.

The program aims to provide development assistance to include infrastructures in the community, electrification in offices and residential areas, roads and highways, irrigation for rice fields and other services.

Diokno reiterated the message of the celebration as “independence from poverty, criminality and facing the challenges in generating jobs and employment for our people.”

He also stressed that “the Philippines is the fastest growing country in the fastest growing region in the world.”

He urged every Filipino to help, cooperate and be united so we can solve the problems and the areas of concern.

The Budget Secretary also said he will await the decision of the Supreme Court on the petition by the Calabarzon local government units (LGUs) through Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsement for the automatic release of LGUs share in the National Revenue Taxes Contribution to Inter-Agency Planning Group (IPG) Fund.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994918