Tag: 2022 budget

Ping, Isinapubliko ang Sariling Amendments sa 2022 Budget na Nakalaan sa Programa sa Edukasyon, Connectivity, Defense

Sa ngalan ng transparency, isinapubliko ni Senador Ping Lacson ang kanyang panukalang institutional amendments sa 2022 budget bill kung saan isinulong niya ang pagtanggal sa mga kwestyonableng appropriations at pagsiguro na may sapat na pondo para sa priority projects, aktibidad at proyekto – tulad ng ginagawa niya taun-taon.

Isinulong ni Lacson, na mahigpit na nagbabantay sa badyet, ang pagbabawas ng pondo sa mga items tulad ng farm-to-market roads at right-of-way payments para pondohan ang mga programang pang-edukasyon, connectivity, anti-cybercrime at pangangailangan sa para sa susunod na taon.

Kabilang sa kanyang proposed amendments ay ang P300 milyon para dagdagan ang pasilidad sa Pag-asa island sa West Philippine Sea na binisita niya noong Nobyembre 20.

Related: In Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Bares Amendments for Education, Connectivity, Defense in 2022 Budget
Continue reading “Ping, Isinapubliko ang Sariling Amendments sa 2022 Budget na Nakalaan sa Programa sa Edukasyon, Connectivity, Defense”

In Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Bares Amendments for Education, Connectivity, Defense in 2022 Budget

In the spirit of transparency, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has made public his proposed institutional amendments to the 2022 budget bill, seeking to slash questionable appropriations and to ensure enough funding for priority programs, activities and projects as he has consistently done in previous years.

Lacson, who has served as a strict watchdog of the budget, proposed reducing funds for items such as farm-to-market roads and right-of-way payments to fund key programs on education, connectivity, anti-cybercrime and defense needs for the coming year.

His proposed amendments include some P300 million to improve the facilities in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, which he visited last Nov. 20.

Related: Ping, Isinapubliko ang Sariling Amendments sa 2022 Budget na Nakalaan sa Programa sa Edukasyon, Connectivity, Defense
Continue reading “In Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Bares Amendments for Education, Connectivity, Defense in 2022 Budget”

Ping, Nasilip ang Duplication ng mga Proyekto sa DPWH 2022 Budget

Anong ginagawa ng P147.283 bilyong halaga ng duplicate projects sa badyet ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para sa 2022?

Kinuwestyon ito ni Senador Ping Lacson nitong Martes matapos malaman ang tungkol sa duplicate projects sa ilalim ng “Convergence and Special Support Program” sa panukalang badyet ng ahensya.

“We note that under the program ‘Convergence and Special Support Program,’ there is apparent duplication of projects, particularly under the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) and Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP),” ani Lacson sa deliberasyon ng badyet ng DPWH para sa 2022.

Related: Lacson Flags Duplication of Projects in DPWH’s 2022 Budget
Continue reading “Ping, Nasilip ang Duplication ng mga Proyekto sa DPWH 2022 Budget”

Lacson Flags Duplication of Projects in DPWH’s 2022 Budget

What is some P147.283 billion in duplicate projects doing in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2022?

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this issue Tuesday as he pointed out the duplicate projects under the “Convergence and Special Support Program” in the agency’s proposed budget.

“We note that under the program ‘Convergence and Special Support Program,’ there is apparent duplication of projects, particularly under the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) and Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP),” Lacson said at the deliberations on the budget of the DPWH for 2022.

Related: Ping, Nasilip ang Duplication ng mga Proyekto sa DPWH 2022 Budget
Continue reading “Lacson Flags Duplication of Projects in DPWH’s 2022 Budget”

P1M Payroll Corruption sa DSWD Region 11, Binuking ni Lacson

Mahigit isang taon na ang nakakalipas. Bakit wala pa ring aksyon?

Kinuwestyon ni Senador Ping Lacson ang kawalan ng aksyon sa isyu ng pasweldo sa Department of Social Welfare and Development sa Region 11, kung saan ang halagang P1 milyon na nakalaan para sa employees’ travel allowance (TEV) ay inilipat umano sa account ng isang administrative assistant, at pinagtakpan ito ng isang opisyal.

“We should not wait for the other cases. This is pretty solid. There were victims. By now, one year later, dapat nasa Ombudsman na siguro ito. Kung now wala pang progress, we cannot expect any more action on this matter,” ani Lacson sa deliberasyon ng 2022 badyet ng DSWD.

Related: Lacson Scores Inaction, Cover-Up Try on P1-M Payroll Corruption at DSWD-Region 11
Continue reading “P1M Payroll Corruption sa DSWD Region 11, Binuking ni Lacson”

Lacson Scores Inaction, Cover-Up Try on P1-M Payroll Corruption at DSWD-Region 11

It’s been more than a year. Why is there still no action on it?

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus questioned the lack of progress in a payroll row at the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 11, where P1 million in employees’ travel allowance (TEV) was allegedly diverted to the account of an administrative assistant, and an official tried to cover up the mess.

“We should not wait for the other cases. This is pretty solid. There were victims. By now, one year later, dapat nasa Ombudsman na siguro ito. Kung now wala pang progress, we cannot expect any more action on this matter (We should not wait for other cases. This is pretty solid. There were victims. But it’s been one year, the case should have been before the Ombudsman. But up to now there seems to be no progress. We cannot expect any more action on this matter),” Lacson said at the deliberation on the 2022 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Related: P1M Payroll Corruption sa DSWD Region 11, Binuking ni Lacson
Continue reading “Lacson Scores Inaction, Cover-Up Try on P1-M Payroll Corruption at DSWD-Region 11”

Ping, Kinwestyon ang P5-B Para sa Farm-to-Market Roads Gamit Pondo ng Bayanihan 2

Anong kinalaman ng farm-to-market roads sa pag-responde ng gobyerno sa pandemya?

Yan ang tanong ng standard bearer ng Partido Reporma na si Senador Ping Lacson nitong Lunes matapos nitong mapag-alaman na ang P5-bilyong pondo na dapat sana ay para sa Covid-19 response ay ginamit pala sa pagpopondo ng implementasyon ng farm-to-market road projects sa ilalim ng Agriculture Stimulus Package ng Bayanihan 2.

“We noticed releases under Bayanihan 2 focused on farm-to-market roads worth P5 billion. Can you explain the connection between these farm-to-market road releases and the government’s Covid response? Parang hindi ko ma-connect,” ani Lacson sa kanyang interpelasyon sa badyet ng DA.

Related: Lacson Flags P5-B for Farm-to-Market Roads Using Bayanihan 2 Funds
Continue reading “Ping, Kinwestyon ang P5-B Para sa Farm-to-Market Roads Gamit Pondo ng Bayanihan 2”

Lacson Flags P5-B for Farm-to-Market Roads Using Bayanihan 2 Funds

What is the connection between farm-to-market roads and the government’s response to the Covid pandemic?

Senator and Partido Reporma presidential standard bearer Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson asked this on Monday as he noted P5 billion intended for the government’s Covid-19 response was used to cover funding requirements for the implementation of farm-to-market road projects under the Agriculture Stimulus Package of Bayanihan 2.

“We noticed releases under Bayanihan 2 focused on farm-to-market roads worth P5 billion. Can you explain the connection between these farm-to-market road releases and the government’s Covid response? Parang hindi ko ma-connect (I cannot seem to make the connection),” he said in his interpellation of the DA’s budget.

Related: Ping, Kinwestyon ang P5-B Para sa Farm-to-Market Roads Gamit Pondo ng Bayanihan 2
Continue reading “Lacson Flags P5-B for Farm-to-Market Roads Using Bayanihan 2 Funds”

Ping: Masteral Courses Para sa Community Planners, Kailangan sa Pagpapalakas ng LGUs

Isinulong ni Senador Ping Lacson nitong Huwebes ang pagbibigay ng masteral courses para sa mga community planner ng 1,488 munisipalidad sa bansa, para mapakinabangang mabuti ang pagtaas ng badyet kada LGU alinsunod sa Mandanas-Garcia ruling simula 2022.

Ayon kay Lacson, isang magandang investment ito kung saan ang lokal na pamahalaan ay magkakaroon ng kasunduan kasama ang Development Academy of the Philippines para hasain ang kasanayan ng mga community planner sa bansa.

“Maybe the 1,488 municipalities can benefit from that. If the Local Development Academy has no wherewithal to provide masteral courses, maybe we can sign a MOA with the DAP so we can develop the skills of our community planners to enroll in their degrees and go back to the municipalities under a contract to serve for a certain number of years,” ani Lacson sa deliberasyon ng Senado sa 2022 badyet ng Department of Interior and Local Government.

Related: Lacson Pushes Masteral Courses for Community Planners to Empower LGUs
Continue reading “Ping: Masteral Courses Para sa Community Planners, Kailangan sa Pagpapalakas ng LGUs”

Lacson Pushes Masteral Courses for Community Planners to Empower LGUs

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday pushed for masteral courses for community planners in the country’s 1,488 municipalities so they can maximize the increased revenues from the implementation of the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling starting next year.

Lacson said this could be a “worthwhile investment” where local government units sign a memorandum of agreement with the Development Academy of the Philippines to develop the skills of the community planners.

“Maybe the 1,488 municipalities can benefit from that. If the Local Development Academy has no wherewithal to provide masteral courses, maybe we can sign a MOA with the DAP so we can develop the skills of our community planners to enroll in their degrees and go back to the municipalities under a contract to serve for a certain number of years,” he said at the Senate’s deliberation of the 2022 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Related: Ping: Masteral Courses Para sa Community Planners, Kailangan sa Pagpapalakas ng LGUs
Continue reading “Lacson Pushes Masteral Courses for Community Planners to Empower LGUs”

On the Upcoming Plenary Debates for the 2022 Budget

Definitely, amendments will be introduced at least from my end. Base pa lamang sa mga committee hearings na nadaluhan ko, meron na agad na mga issues na dapat suriin pang mabuti sa plenary debates.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of the budget for 2022, because it will be the first for the new administration as it faces humongous problems – including the heavy task of leading the nation to recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

*****

Ping, Sinita ang Di Pagsunod ng DPWH sa Paglilipat ng Pondo at Tungkulin sa LGUs

Hanggang papel lang ang umano’y pagsunod ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa direktiba ng Korte Suprema at Malacañang na i-devolve o ilipat ang ilang tungkulin at pondo nito sa mga lokal na unit ng pamahalaan sa 2022, ayon kay Senador Ping Lacson nitong Martes.

Base sa panukalang badyet ng DPWH na nagkakahalaga ng P686.1 bilyon para sa 2022, ang central office pa rin nito ang hahawak sa mga pondo na nakalaan sa items at mga proyekto na dapat na ilipat na at ipatupad mismo ng mga LGU.

“While 89 percent ang nawala sa Local Program, nag-increase ang Convergence and Special Support Program by 232 percent,” pahayag ni Lacson sa pagdinig ng badyet ng DPWH sa Senado.

Related: Lacson: DPWH’s Proposed 2022 Budget Shows Devolution Only on Paper
Continue reading “Ping, Sinita ang Di Pagsunod ng DPWH sa Paglilipat ng Pondo at Tungkulin sa LGUs”

Lacson: DPWH’s Proposed 2022 Budget Shows Devolution Only on Paper

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s compliance with the Supreme Court and Malacañang’s directives to devolve certain functions – and funds – to the local government units for 2022 may be good only on paper, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson bared Tuesday.

Lacson noted that in the DPWH’s proposed P686.1-billion budget for 2022, it is still the central office that handles funds for items and projects which should be devolved and implemented by LGUs.

“While 89 percent ang nawala sa Local Program, nag-increase ang Convergence and Special Support Program by 232 percent (While there was an 89-percent decrease from funds for local programs, there was an increase of 232 percent for convergence and special support programs),” he said at the hearing for the DPWH’s 2022 budget.

Related: Ping, Sinita ang Di Pagsunod ng DPWH sa Paglilipat ng Pondo at Tungkulin sa LGUs
Continue reading “Lacson: DPWH’s Proposed 2022 Budget Shows Devolution Only on Paper”

Ping sa DSWD: Mas Bigyang Kapasidad ang Mga Mahihirap na Bayan

Hinimok ni Senador Ping Lacson nitong Lunes ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na gawing prayoridad ang mga mahihirap na bayan – o mga fifth- at sixth-class municipalities – sa kanilang Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) program.

Para kay Lacson, makakatulong ito para masiguro na nagagamit nang maayos ng DSWD ang pondo para sa programang TARA at talagang nakikinabang dito ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na kailangan ng tulong.

“One criterion na naisip ko, i-prioritize siguro fifth and sixth-class municipalities kesa first class municipalities, kasi hindi na siguro kailangan, technically capacitated na sila,” ani Lacson sa pagdinig ng Senado sa badyet ng DSWD para sa 2022.

Related: Lacson to DSWD: Prioritize Capacitating of 5th, 6th-Class Towns
Continue reading “Ping sa DSWD: Mas Bigyang Kapasidad ang Mga Mahihirap na Bayan”

Lacson to DSWD: Prioritize Capacitating of 5th, 6th-Class Towns

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Monday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development to prioritize fifth- and sixth-class municipalities in its Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) program.

Lacson said this would help ensure that the DSWD is able to maximize its funds for the program while benefiting the local government units that need assistance most.

“One criterion na naisip ko, i-prioritize siguro fifth- and sixth-class municipalities kesa first-class municipalities, kasi hindi na siguro kailangan, technically capacitated na sila (One criterion I can think of is to prioritize assistance to the fifth and sixth-class municipalities. First-class municipalities likely do not need the assistance as much as they are already technically capacitated),” he said at the Senate hearing on the DSWD’s budget for 2022.

Related: Ping sa DSWD: Mas Bigyang Kapasidad ang Mga Mahihirap na Bayan
Continue reading “Lacson to DSWD: Prioritize Capacitating of 5th, 6th-Class Towns”

Ping, Sinita ang Bilyon-Bilyong ‘Off-Budget’ na Kita na Gov’t Hospitals

Paano nasisikmura ng mga pampublikong ospital na singilin pa ang mga kababayan nating naka-confine doon, samantalang bilyon-bilyon naman ang kanilang “off-budget” na kita nitong mga nakaraang taon?

Ito ang pinuna ni Sen. Ping Lacson nitong Miyerkules sa kanyang interpelasyon sa panukalang badyet ng Department of Health (DOH) para sa 2022.

Giit ni Lacson, kung malaki naman pala ang kinikita nila ay pwede itong pambayad sa mga gastusin sa ospital ng mga mahihirap na pasyente lalo na ang mga nawalan ng hanapbuhay dahil sa pandemya.

Related: Lacson Blasts Gov’t Hospitals’ Humongous Off-Budget Income: Konsensya Issue Ito
Continue reading “Ping, Sinita ang Bilyon-Bilyong ‘Off-Budget’ na Kita na Gov’t Hospitals”

Lacson Blasts Gov’t Hospitals’ Humongous Off-Budget Income: Konsensya Issue Ito

How could government-run hospitals have billions of pesos in off-budget income in the past several years, yet still charge Filipinos who are confined there?

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson raised this question Wednesday during his interpellation of the Department of Health (DOH)’s proposed budget for 2022.

Lacson stressed the huge amounts could have been used to help defray the expenses of poor patients, especially those who lost their livelihood due to the Covid pandemic.

Related: Ping, Sinita ang Bilyon-Bilyong ‘Off-Budget’ na Kita na Gov’t Hospitals
Continue reading “Lacson Blasts Gov’t Hospitals’ Humongous Off-Budget Income: Konsensya Issue Ito”

Ping, Kinuwestyon ang ‘Iregularidad’ sa Pamamahagi ng SAP

Paano nasabi ng Department of Social Welfare and Development na mayroon silang 94-percent physical accomplishment sa pamamahagi ng pondo mula sa Social Amelioration Program (SAP), kung 80 porsyento lamang ang kanilang nailabas na pondo?

Ito ang binigyang diin ni Senador Panfilo Lacson nitong Lunes sa kanyang interpelasyon sa panukalang badyet ng DSWD para sa taong 2022 na umaabot sa P191.4 bilyon.

“Something doesn’t add up. The DSWD’s latest data showed that the agency was able to distribute SAP to 717,372 out of 761,259 target beneficiary families. That would constitute 94.23-percent accomplishment as of Aug. 31, 2021,” ani Lacson.

Related: Lacson Questions Discrepancy in SAP Distribution
Continue reading “Ping, Kinuwestyon ang ‘Iregularidad’ sa Pamamahagi ng SAP”

Lacson Questions Discrepancy in SAP Distribution

How could the Department of Social Welfare and Development claim a 94-percent physical accomplishment of its distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) funds, when it has disbursed only 80 percent of the funds?

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson raised this question Monday as he interpellated the DSWD on its proposed P191.4-billion budget for 2022.

“Something doesn’t add up. The DSWD’s latest data showed that the agency was able to distribute SAP to 717,372 out of 761,259 target beneficiary families. That would constitute 94.23-percent accomplishment as of Aug. 31, 2021,” Lacson said.

Related: Ping, Kinuwestyon ang ‘Iregularidad’ sa Pamamahagi ng SAP
Continue reading “Lacson Questions Discrepancy in SAP Distribution”

Pag-Download ng Pondo ng HFEP para sa District Hospitals, Isinulong ni Ping

Para masiguro na makukuha ng mga district hospital ang kinakailangan nilang pondo, isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson nitong Martes ang pag-decentralize sa pondo ng Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) mula sa Department of Health central office.

Ani Lacson, daing ng mga opisyal sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na bagama’t nasa lugar nila ang mga district hospitals, ang mga pondo para rito ay nakalagay pa rin sa DOH central office.

“Bakante or kulang ang facilities or unmanned ang district hospitals, because DOH sometimes is slow in downloading or procuring equipment for district hospitals. Hindi nagkaroon ng serbisyong totoo sa district hospitals,” pahayag ni Lacson kasabay ng kanyang pagbusisi sa badyet ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) para sa taong 2022.

Related: Lacson Pushes Downloading of HFEP Funds for District Hospitals
Continue reading “Pag-Download ng Pondo ng HFEP para sa District Hospitals, Isinulong ni Ping”

Lacson Pushes Downloading of HFEP Funds for District Hospitals

To ensure that district hospitals get their much-needed funds, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson pushed on Tuesday for the devolution of the budget of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) from the Department of Health central office.

Lacson said local government unit (LGU) officials he has talked to have expressed concern that while the district hospitals are located in their areas, the funds are still lodged with the DOH central office.

“Bakante or kulang ang facilities or unmanned ang district hospitals, because DOH sometimes is slow in downloading or procuring equipment for district hospitals. Hindi nagkaroon ng serbisyong totoo sa district hospitals (District hospitals are unmanned or do not have enough facilities because the DOH is sometimes slow in downloading or procuring equipment for district hospitals. There is no true service in district hospitals as a result),” Lacson said in interpellating the 2022 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Related: Pag-Download ng Pondo ng HFEP para sa District Hospitals, Isinulong ni Ping
Continue reading “Lacson Pushes Downloading of HFEP Funds for District Hospitals”

Ping, Nag-Resign sa Senate Finance Committee

Para makapag-focus sa pagsusuri ng panukalang badyet sa taong 2022 at sa mga “red flag” ng Commission on Audit sa ilang ahensya tungkol sa estilo ng paggamit nila ng pondo.

Ito ang mga dahilan ng pagbibitiw ni Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang Vice Chairman ng Senate Committee on Finance na pangunahing may tungkulin sa pag-aaral sa panukalang badyet ng pamahalan taun-taon; at bilang Chairman ng Finance Subcommittee C.

Ayon kay Lacson, ang mga huling pagpuna ng COA sa paggamit ng ilang ahensiya sa mga pondong ipinagkaloob sa kanila ay indikasyon ng lantarang kapabayaan at posibleng pag-abuso sa pondo ng pamahalaan.

“I trust that it is to the greatest interest of our people to once and for all, ferret out the truth behind these reports, put value to the oft-ignored COA mandate, and ensure that there will be no ‘sacred cows’ in making accountable those who have blundered the effective and proper use of public monies,” banggit ni Lacson sa resignation letter na kanyang isinumite kay Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Tenders Resignation of Finance Committee Posts to Focus on Intensified Scrutiny of 2022 Budget, COA Red Flags
Continue reading “Ping, Nag-Resign sa Senate Finance Committee”

Lacson Tenders Resignation of Finance Committee Posts to Focus on Intensified Scrutiny of 2022 Budget, COA Red Flags

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson has tendered his resignation as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and as Chairman of the panel’s Subcommittee C, to give himself more time to focus on scrutinizing the P5.024-trillion budget for 2022, as well as to address the advent of red flags raised by the Commission on Audit in its audit reports of several agencies.

Lacson said the COA’s red flags indicate the “blatant inefficiency, unconscionable incompetence and worse, probable misuse and abuse of public funds in virtually the entire government.”

“I trust that it is to the greatest interest of our people to once and for all, ferret out the truth behind these reports, put value to the oft-ignored COA mandate, and ensure that there will be no ‘sacred cows’ in making accountable those who have blundered the effective and proper use of public monies,” he said in his letter to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping, Nag-Resign sa Senate Finance Committee
Continue reading “Lacson Tenders Resignation of Finance Committee Posts to Focus on Intensified Scrutiny of 2022 Budget, COA Red Flags”