P34B Bayanihan funds of tourism, agri sought

With barely two months left before the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act expires, around P34 billion for aid in the tourism and agriculture sectors were not yet released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

This was disclosed in two separate budget hearings for the Departments of Tourism (DoT) and Agriculture.

During the budget briefing of the DoT, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon quizzed Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat on the release of P6 billion loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), P3 billion cash-for-work aid for displaced tourism employees and P1 billion for tourism infrastructure.

In response, Puyat acknowledged the senator’s move to fight for the loans for MSME through SB Corporation (SBCorp).

“The P6 billion is under the SBCorp for the Cares Travel Program. We are estimating around 5,000 MSME to benefit from this but right now, we are doing requalification and we are still following up with the DBM to release the funds with the SBCorp. So, it is still not given,” she disclosed.

Puyat added that the P3 billion for cash aid for tourism workers will be managed by the Department of Labor and Employment, while the P1 billion for tourism infrastructure is under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The implementing agencies, however, were not able to utilize the funds as the DBM has yet to transfer the funds.

Drilon, who is visibly disappointed with Puyat’s disclosure, asked Senator Richard Gordon to “take note” on the non-release of Bayanihan funds to the DoT despite the agency’s submission of required documents for its implementation.