P35-B projects under BuB program included in 2017 budget

Projects worth P35 billion, which local government units ( LGUs) have identified under the bottom- up budgeting or BuB program, are included in the proposed P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday.

e said the 2017 BuB bud- get is P10.3 billion bigger than this year’s figure.

In a statement, Abad said around P19.7 billion in BuB funds would be released directly to beneficiary LGUs.

“These are cities and municipalities that have complied with the good governance conditions set in the implementing guidelines of the program,” Abad, a stalwart of the ruling Liberal Party, said.

“These requirements include compliance with the Good Financial Housekeeping component of the Seal of Good Local Governance and implementation of Public Financial Management ( PFM) improvement measures,” he explained.

Under BuB, LGUs and civil society and community organizations jointly identify priority poverty reduction programs and projects to be included in the proposed national budget.

The programs and projects are listed in detail in the budget, together with their funding.

Unlike the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), which all presidential candidates want to expand, BuB has found a champion only in administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Roxas is advocating the allocation of more BuB funds for LGUs and at least P1 million for each barangay.

“We are moving from agency-implemented BuB projects to more performance-based direct downloads to LGUs. Of course, the release of these funds will depend on the performance of the LGUs,” Abad said.