Two members of the House of Representatives on Thursday called on national government agencies to spend the remaining 2021 and 2020 funds that remain in their coffers as carry-over funds.
One of the legislators, Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, a nominee of the party-list group Bagong Henerasyon, said: “All remaining unspent national government COVID ‘ayuda’ funds and regular cash aid to the poor and marginalized should be released this November and December to help boost consumer spending and give the whole economy the lift it badly needs.”
Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun supported the call of Herrera.
Fortun, a member of the House minority, maintained that withholding or delaying, even without forfeiting, subsidies for unvaccinated Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries is “baseless, illegal, and unjust.”
“Imposing vaccination as a requirement for the release of benefits under the program is a departure from its essence, especially now in this time of massive economic crisis,” Fortun stressed.
The two lawmakers made the remarks as the National Economic and Development Authority said the economy grew by around 7.1 percent in the third quarter of the year or from July to September and 4.9 percent from January to September.
Fourth quarter sales account for most revenues of most businesses dependent on consumer spending.
“These figures confirm our economy was in COVID-19 hibernation, not disabled. In hibernation only because people were made to stay in their homes, limi ing consumer spending to the barest min mums. The economy has what it takes to grow by at least 6 to 7 percent this year,” Herrera said.
She added she expects “a big boost in November and December with the reopening of the economy that can spill over to January and February which are also holiday months because of tourist-drawing fiestas and the Chinese New Year festivities.”
“Now is not the time to hold back on government stimulus and cash aid. Valid bid contracts and above-board negotiated deals should conclude now and the funds released,” Herrera said.
According to Fortun, “4Ps cash aid during this pandemic times is a matter of survival and hunger. How can any government official or agency even think of causing, adding such grievous suffering to the poor.”
“Effective education, not deprivation, is the solution. Let us not punish the poor for our failure to effectively educate them on the benefits of vaccination. That is only an aggravation of the situation,” Fortun added.