The national government’s subsidies for government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) amounted to P7.38 billion in May.
Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the amount was slightly lower than the P7.9 billion in the same month last year.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was the biggest recipient of budgetary support anew, amounting to P4.22 billion.
The National Food Authority received P849 million, second on the list, while the National Housing Authority came in third with subsidies amounting to P363 million.
BTr data showed that GOCCs which received more t han P100 million of subsidies include Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (P319 million), Philippine Heart Center (P271 million), Philippine Rice Research Institute (P239 million), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (P173 million), and National Kidney and Transplant Institute (P125 million).
For the first five months of the year, the national government’s subsidies to GOCCs have already amounted to P37.6 billion.
NIA received the biggest subsidy which amounted to P18.28 billion, followed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. with P5 billion.
In April, budgetary support for GOCCs grew to P8.9 billion from P5.1 billion in the same month last year but lower than the P10.79 billion in March.
The Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled
Corporations (GCG) meanwhile unveiled its mantra and vision for GOCCs.
“Pursuant to our mandate, the theme for this year’s celebration is to Aim G.R.E.A.T.” where “G.R.E.A.T stands for: Good governance, Rightsizing, Efficiency, Accountability, and Transparency,” said GCG Chairperson Justice Alex L. Quiroz (ret.) during the agency’s 12th anniversary program held Friday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Highlighting the initiatives that resonate to the needs of GCG stakeholders, the GCG administration introduced open-door policy, establishment of Anti-Corruption and Integrity Program and the upgrading of the current Integrated Corporate Reporting System (ICRS).
Meanwhile, in a video message, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left
the GCG officials and personnel with a challenge to “take this time to understand and appreciate once again the significance of your mandate and your office”.
“Let the gravity of your contribution to our society’s development push you to be twice as passionate and diligent in fulfilling your duties. And most importantly, allow genuine compassion for our fellow
Filipinos to be your driving force in pursuing your advocacies and your program,” the President added.
Also, an integral part of the celebration was to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of GCG employees through the awarding of this year’s GCG Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).
The GCG PRAISE aims to encourage, recognize and reward employees for their superior accomplishments, exemplary behavior, extraordinary acts or services, which contribute to the efficiency, economy and improvement in government operations and organizational productivity.
Quiroz commended the people behind the GCG, extending his sincerest gratitude for upholding its mandates, and thanked the stakeholders and institutional partners for their unwavering support and cooperation with the agency.
To cap off the 12th anniversary program, GCG Commissioner Geraldine Marie Berberabe-Martinez thanked all who participated in the agency’s anniversary celebration and called for their continuous cooperation in the implementation of the agency’s programs and initiatives.
“Indeed, this celebration marks the beginning of greater things for the GOCC sector, and we hope all our stakeholders will continue journeying with us toward our vision,” Berberabe-Martinez said.
The GCG is a creation of Republic Act 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 that has been signed into law on June 6, 2011 as the central advisory, monitoring and oversight body that formulates, implements and coordinates policies to govern GOCCs.