MANILA, Philippines – A resolution has been filed in the Senate seeking to extend the validity of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO) until December 2020.

Senate Resolution No. 7 filed by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara seeks to amend Section 65 of Republic Act No. 11260 or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 which says that all appropriations are only available until December 31, 2019.

In the resolution, Angara noted there were programs and projects hampered by the delay in the passage of the 2019 GAA and ban on procurement due to the 2019 election season.

“Whereas, the delay in the passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act and the election ban on the implementation of infrastructure projects and social services in view of the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections, there are projects and programs for the delivery of basic services that were not implemented,” the resolution said.

The resolution likewise said appropriations for projects this year have yet to be released and some allotment issues have yet to be obligated which will make funds reverted to the unappropriated surplus of general fund.

“It is clearly imperative that Section 65 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 11260 should be amended such that the validity of the MOOE and CO appropriations be extended for another fiscal year for the benefit of the people and for the welfare of the nation,” the resolution read.

A similar resolution has been filed and approved by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations.  /gsg

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