THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, MAJORITY LEADER, TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, WE RESPECTFULLY PRESENT FOR THE BODY’S CONSIDERATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION AND THE JUDICIARY’S ADDITIONAL BUDGET REFERRALS FOR FY 2026 AND WE ARE SUBMITTING THE SAME TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
THE DA’S ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL WILL ENSURE THAT THE NATIONAL BUDGET PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF OUR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: PARA SA ATING MGA MAGSASAKA, MGA MANGINGISDA, AT PARA SA LAYUNIN NA WALA NANG PILIPINONG MAGUGUTOM.
WE FURTHER SUBMIT THE DA’S ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION RECEIVED BY SUB-COMMITTEE “J”. THESE ARE INSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, MR. PRESIDENT, NOT INDIVIDUAL AMENDMENTS. THESE SUBMISSIONS OUTLINE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY AND SUPPORT RURAL DEVELOPMENT. WE REQUEST THE BODY’S FAVORABLE REVIEW OF THESE VITAL BUDGETARY REQUESTS BY THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF:
- THE DEEP WATER PORTS FOR FISH AND AGRI INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION PROJECT OF THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – TWO BILLION FOUR HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (₱2,400,000,000)
FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEEP-WATER PORTS TO IMPROVE FISH LANDING, HANDLING, AND COLD STORAGE LOGISTICS IN OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, AND ALBAY, ENSURING MORE RELIABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE FISH AND OTHER MARINE PRODUCTS. - TRANSITION FUND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND THE NATIONAL DAIRY AUTHORITY – FIVE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (₱500,000,000)
TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION OF REGULATORY AND TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED TO THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND THE NATIONAL DAIRY AUTHORITY UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 12300. - YOUNG FARMERS CHALLENGE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY – ONE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (₱100,000,000)
TO EXPAND GRANT ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES FOR YOUNG AGRIPRENEURS, SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOOD PRODUCERS. DAHIL KINAKAILANGAN NG SUSUNOD NA HENERASYON NG PILIPINO AY MAYROON PA RING MAGSASAKA.
MR. PRESIDENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FORMALLY SUPPORTS THE TRANSFER OF THE MILK FEEDING COMPONENT OF THE SCHOOL-BASED FEEDING PROGRAM FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO THE NATIONAL DAIRY AUTHORITY (NDA) AND THE PHILIPPINE CARABAO CENTER (PCC) BEGINNING SCHOOL YEAR 2026 TO 2027.
THIS ORGANIZATIONAL SHIFT, WHICH HAS THE EXPRESS SUPPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IS JUSTIFIED ON THE FOLLOWING GROUNDS:
- IT ALLOWS THE NDA AND PCC TO OVERSEE THE ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN, INCLUDING SUPPLY MAPPING, PROCUREMENT, PROCESSING, DELIVERY, MONITORING, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE.
- IT IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN THE UTILIZATION OF FRESH, LOCALLY PRODUCED MILK, WIDENING THE PARTICIPATION OF DAIRY FARMERS AND COOPERATIVES, AND IMPROVING THE NUTRITIONAL OUTCOMES OF LEARNERS NATIONWIDE.
- IT ALIGNS IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE SAGIP SAKA ACT TO SUPPORT LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND FARMER ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT.
TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND PROPER FUND MANAGEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT PROPOSES SPECIAL PROVISIONS MANDATING SEPARATE ACCOUNTING FOR MILK FEEDING FUNDS AND THE SUBMISSION OF IMPLEMENTATION AND FUND UTILIZATION REPORTS TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE START OF IMPLEMENTATION AND EVERY QUARTER THEREAFTER.
MR. PRESIDENT, IN ADVANCING THE PROGRAMS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING OUR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL ROLE OF IRRIGATION IN DRIVING FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINING RURAL ECONOMIC GROWTH.
WE, THEREFORE, PLACE ON RECORD THE REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (NIA) FOR THE BODY’S CONSIDERATION.
1. CORRECTION OF PROJECT NAME UNDER THE COMMITTEE REPORT
TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY COFFERDAM USING STEEL SHEET PILES AND ONE METER TONNER SANDBAGS, THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS THE CORRECTION OF THE PROJECT NAME FROM ANGAT AFTERBAY REGULATORY DAM TO ANGAT AFTERBAY REGULATOR DAM.
THE APPROPRIATION OF FORTY FIVE MILLION PESOS (₱45,000,000) WILL COVER THE TEMPORARY COFFERDAM, WHILE THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT OF THE RUBBER BLADDER GATES IS ONE BILLION FIVE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (₱1,500,000,000).
2. BREAKDOWN OF ALLOCATIONS UNDER THE SUBSIDY FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE AGENCY FURTHER REQUESTS THE ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN FOR THE APPROPRIATION:
- TWENTY FIVE MILLION PESOS (₱25,000,000) FOR THE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR DELIVERING EXCELLENT RESULTS PROGRAM;
- TWENTY TWO MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (₱22,400,000) FOR THE MASAGANANG ANI SA TAGTUYOT DOUBLE CROPPING SYSTEM FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING.
BOTH SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS ARE BEING MANAGED AND RUN BY THE NIA ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES (DAP).
MR. PRESIDENT, WE LIKEWISE TO BRING TO THE BODY’S ATTENTION THE REQUEST SUBMITTED BY THE JUDICIARY FOR THE INCLUSION OF FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR:
- NEWLY CREATED SHARI’AH DISTRICT COURTS AND SHARI’AH CIRCUIT COURTS IN THE AMOUNT OF P 200.45 MILLION, WHICH SENATOR PADILLA HAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED DURING THE PLENARY DEBATES, AND I BELIEVE HE ALSO MANIFESTED THIS EARLIER ON THE JUDICIARY BUDGET; AND
- FUNDING FOR THE JUDICIARY INTEGRITY OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF 250 MILLION WAS MADE A PRIORITY, WHICH SENATOR LACSON LIKEWISE SUPPORTED DURING THE PLENARY BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.
TO ADD, WE ALSO INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS PERSONNEL BENEFITS FUND, WHICH IS PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THE PAYMENT OF PERSONNEL BENEFITS AND TO ADDRESS PERSONNEL SERVICES DEFICIENCIES ACROSS THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE AMENDMENT SEEKS TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF PERSONNEL BENEFITS, INCLUDING THOSE NECESSARY FOR NEW POSITIONS IN SHARI’AH DISTRICT COURTS AND SHARI’AH CIRCUIT COURTS, COVERING SALARIES, ALLOWANCES, PREMIUMS, AND OTHER BENEFITS AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED UNDER EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
THESE INITIATIVES MR. PRESIDENT ARE VITAL FOR ENSURING ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE, AND EFFICIENT JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES SERVED BY THE SHARIAH COURT SYSTEM AND FOR STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY UPON WHICH OUR LEGAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS DEPEND.
MR. PRESIDENT, IF I MAY ADD, FOR THE RECORD, IN OUR GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMUGGLING EFFORTS, WE PROPOSE THE INCLUSION OF A SPECIAL PROVISION UNDER THE CONTINGENCY FUND AMOUNTING TO 500 MILLION TO ENABLE THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12022, THE ANTI-AGRICULTURAL SABOTAGE ACT OF 2024. THE FUND OF 500 MILLION WHILE PROVIDED IN THE LAW WAS NOT RELEASED IN FULL IN THE FY 2025 GAA, AND SUPPORT IS NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY COMBAT AGRICULTURAL SMUGGLING, HOARDING, PROFITEERING, AND PRICE MANIPULATION TO SAFEGUARD FOOD SECURITY. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THEN FINANCE SECRETARY, NOW EXECUTIVE SECRETARY RALPH RECTO AND HE IS MORE THAN WILLING TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF THIS SPECIAL PROVISION.
BEFORE I END MR. PRESIDENT, WE COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE FOR FACILITATING A BUDGET PROCESS THAT IS CLEAR, TRANSPARENT, PRACTICAL, AND DATA-DRIVEN.
EVIDENCED BY THE FOLLOWING GOOD GOVERNANCE REFORMS:
- NIA HAS SUBMITTED ITS COMPLETE PROJECT ANNEX, AND THE TRANSPARENCY DASHBOARDS OF NIA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WILL SOON BE ONLINE. MAS MADALI NANG MAKITA NG TAO KUNG SAAN NAPUPUNTA ANG PERA NILA. THAT IS EVIDENCE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE (AND) TRANSPARENCY. GANITO MAGTRABAHO DAPAT SA BADYET NG ATING MGA KABABAYAN.
- THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAGIP SAKA ACT MANDATES GOVERNMENT TO BUY DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK, THEREBY KEEPING VALUE LOCAL, LOWERING COSTS, AND INCREASING PRODUCERS INCOME. MABABA ANG GASTOS, MALAKI ANG BALIK.
- THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATORY AUDIT PROGRAM OF COA GIVES THE PUBLIC A REAL ROLE IN MONITORING PROJECTS, ENSURING BETTER IMPLEMENTATION AND MINIMIZING WASTE. KAPAG MAY TAYA AT MAY PANANAGUTAN, MAS MAAYOS ANG GAWA AT WALANG NASASAYANG.
- WITH THE IMPENDING LAUNCH OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPARENCY DASHBOARD, EVERY ROAD (FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD) BRIDGE PROJECT CAN BE VERIFIED AGAINST ITS BUDGET AND TIMELINE. BETTER DATA ENSURES BETTER DELIVERY.
MR. PRESIDENT, THESE REFORMS — OPEN DATA, LOCAL SOURCING, CITIZEN AUDIT, AND FULL TRANSPARENCY — RENDER THIS BUDGET CLEANER AND MORE PEOPLE- CENTERED.
A TRANSPARENT BUDGET BUILDS A STABLE ECONOMY, WHICH ULTIMATELY GIVES EVERY FILIPINO A FAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER LIFE.
OUR ULTIMATE, SHARED ASPIRATION IS: I-ANGAT ANG BUHAY NG BAWAT PAMILYANG PILIPINO.
MR. PRESIDENT, WITH THAT MANIFESTATION, THIS REPRESENTATION HAS NO FURTHER ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO RAISE. AND AGAIN WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE GOOD CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE FOR ALLOWING US WITH THESE SUBMISSIONS.