Abad Asks RDC-7 to Align Projects with BPF

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad told members of the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) that projects for proposed funding should be aligned with the Budget Priority Framework (BPF) of the National Government.

Abad was the special guest during the RDC-7 1st quarterly full council meeting held in Cebu City recently.

Priorities of Aquino Administration

The budget secretary said the BPF determines the priorities of the Aquino Administration until the end of the President’s term in 2016.

“Projects that are submitted for funding that are not tuned in to the Budget Priority Framework will never be approved,” bared Abad to over 40 attendees that include local chief executives within the four provinces of Central Visayas, heads and representatives of regional line agencies, private sector, civil society groups and media.

“That is why I am here today for two important reasons, first, to relay to you the Budget Priority Framework and to give recommendations on how to make effective budget proposals,” Abad said.

Four Thrust of the BPF

According to Abad, there are four thrusts under the BPF which the administration believes is essentially critical to maintain the
Philippines positive economic performance.

These four areas are – huge investments in social protection; generating employment and livelihood; continue expanding the economy and investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

He cited some priority programs under the social services, primary of which is the anti-poverty alleviation program Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino or 4Ps, whose annual budget is increasing year after year.

“The program has now been expanded to include the high school education of 4Ps household-beneficiaries, which before is only up to elementary education,” said Abad.

Other areas under the social services are education, public health and social housing, said the budget chief.

Second priority under the BPF is generating employment and livelihood programs, foremost of which is the increased budget for infrastructure development to spur investments that create jobs in the area of tourism and agri-business, said Abad.

The secretary said the third is continuing the economic expansion found in certain sectors such as tourism, a high performer of economic growth.

Other areas he cited here are the business process outsourcing (BPO), agri-business and infrastructure.

The fourth priority area under the BPF is investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation such as geohazard mapping and the 18 major river basins that were given priority under the government’s National Greening Program.

Reduce Poverty Incidence

Abad said the four thrusts underline the priority programs that fulfill President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people that ultimately redound to inclusive social growth that reduce poverty incidence at the end of his term.

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