00:00It's not only flood control projects which proponents have found a path to methodically plunder the nation's coffers and aggrandize themselves,
00:09but also DOH and DOA programs and projects and social amelioration schemes like the AICS, ACAP, and TUPAD,
00:18which Senator Panfidu Laxon proposed to totally outlaw lawmaker involvement in subsidy distribution.
00:24Our Luisa Erispe has more in today's period of amendments in the GAB Senate deliberations.
00:32Senators lined up their proposed amendments for the 2026 national budget.
00:38Senate President Pro Tempore Pantilo Laxon proposed to remove any involvement of politicians
00:44in the disbursement of aid to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
00:48According to the Salon, the supposed help became politically inclined due to the involvement of politicians.
00:55There must be no room for political exploitation and manipulation of the government programs in any shape or form,
01:03especially when those at the other end are already suffering.
01:08To politicize a social welfare program is not only unjust but also inhumane.
01:14To this end, between lines 40 and 41, page 228, volume 1-B of fiscal year 2026 GAB,
01:23insert a new provision to read as follows.
01:27Number 9. Prohibition on political involvement in cash aid distribution.
01:32Laxon proposed that only DSWD officials shall be allowed to be involved in the distribution of the aid.
01:39Any incumbent official, candidate, or representative of politicians should not be allowed to participate.
01:46Laxon also flagged the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways for payments for right of way.
01:52According to him, there could be double allocation considering that regions have allocated budget to pay for the ROWs.
02:00But Laxon proposed additional budget for the rehabilitation of areas damaged by the onslaught of typhoons and earthquakes this year.
02:08According to Senator Sherwin Gachalian, chairman of the Committee on Finance in the Senate,
02:13they have given additional P25 billion to the local government support fund for the rehabilitation.
02:20There are also P15.3 billion additional funds under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
02:26We will also increase the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund by P15.3 billion specifically to support the recovery of disaster-stricken areas.
02:39Supported interventions include shelter and resettlements, education and health services,
02:45rehabilitation of agriculture, and social protection programs in areas affected by national disasters.
02:51Aside from this, an additional P68 billion was allocated to the construction of 27,000 classrooms targeted to be finished next year.
03:00Today, the Senate did not finish the second reading of the budget, but they assured that it will be passed before the end of the year.
03:08Luisa Erispe from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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