Diokno hints at supplemental budget

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno hinted broadly on the crafting of a supplemental budget for 2018 should the rest of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program packages are approved by Congress.

Diokno made the statement as the Department of Budget and Management accepted a transitory period for the proposed cash-based budget for 2019 that extends the payment period for projects until the end of June next year. The extension also allows payments for equipment must be completed within the first three months next year.

“A supplementary budget is a possibility but not a certainty,” Diokno told reporters at the weekly Breakfast with Ben forum.

The budget chief also stressed the necessity of allowing the remaining tax reform packages to muster Congress as they are crucial in crafting the supplementary budget.

“It’s difficult but not impossible to pass the packages,” said Diokno. The supplementary budget will be used to support programs that suffered cuts in the 2019 budget.

Diokno noted the election ban at next year’s mid-term polls prevent politicians from starting projects within a 45-day period before and after an election and urged lawmakers to conduct an early pre-procurement the rest of the year.

“You can do preliminary hearing, etc. and you can do the whole process. You can choose the contractor but not award it. Once the budget is approved, (on) 2 January, sign the contract and that’s it. That’s no longer covered by the ban,” he explained.