BUDGET MESSAGE FOR 2020

SUMMARY
In the last month of August President Rodrigo Rona Duterte proposed PhP4.100 trillion

national budget of the Philippine Government for Fiscal Year 2020. This is 11.8 percent

more than the 2019 Budget and will constitute 19.4 percent of the country’s Gross

Domestic Product (GDP).

The year 2020 marks the beginning of the second and final half of President Duterte

Administration. He quoted- ‘a point at which we should be able to say, with a degree of

confidence and certainty, that our work, our journey is taking us surely and swiftly to

where we had set out to be’.

According to President Duterte, this journey into the second and final half of his

Administration will be fuelled by the 2020 National Budget. He added, it is the financial

program that will ensure that our nation stays the course and moves forward towards its

aspired-for destination.

The 2020 National Budget, he said,’ will aim to build on the fruits and gains of the previous

annual expenditure programs of the Administration, not only to ensure but to consolidate

the gains, for the bright future of the Philippines and its people’.

The journey to a more peaceful and progressive Philippines, a budget for Fiscal Year

2020, focus in strengthening the processes for peace and progress, guided by the

following principles. First is, Support for Our Growth Targets. Second, Adherence to Fiscal

Responsibility. Third, Effective Allocation for Infrastructure and Social Services. And

finally, Continued Adoption of the Cash Budgeting System.

These are the Key Budget Priorities. First is, Ensuring a Peaceful and Safe Journey to

Progress. For me achieving lasting peace is very challenging, it has been a lifelong goal

of us, the Filipinos. Duterte said ‘ We need to put as much as effort into the journey to

peace as the journey to progress’. And for this, we are giving our full budget support to

the agencies in charge of protecting our safety and ensuring lasting peace’. I support his

statements if we can achieved peace, why not?.

Second, Ensuring Effective and Efficient Delivery of Government Services. Providing

budget for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), for me is a yes because

Government services improved due to the application of ICT. With the use of the right

technology to handle government data and information, the government in general

becomes more productive.

Third, Keeping the Focus on Infrastructure as a Path to Progress and Peace. Two major

infrastructure agencies will receive hefty allocations these are, The Department of Public

Works and Highways (DPWH) and The Department of Transportation (DOTr). If this idea

will increase the productive capacity of the economy and reduce poverty then I will

support the raise of spending for infrastructure.

Fourth, Moving ‘Forward and Up’ in Changing the Lives and Living Conditions of the

Filipino People. President Duterte allocating PhP1.525 trillion or 37.2 percent of the 2020

National Budget to social services. For me Ending poverty and achieving sustainable

development are aspirations long overdue in realization, but with this budget I hope that

the lives of every Filipino will be better.

Finally, Preserving and Protecting Ecological Integrity and a Sustainable and Healthy

Environment. Duterte said, ‘In this 2020 Budget, Php220.8 billion will be provided in

seventeen departments and other executive agencies for Climate Change Adaptation and

Mitigation (CCAM)’, and Php26.4 billion to the DENR’. With this budget given to them, I

hope they will make sure to effectively protect the environment and natural resources in

the Philippines.

The proposed Budget of PhP4.100 trillion, which is 11.8 percent more than the 2019

Budget and will constitute 19.4 percent of GDP. With this budget, I hope Philippines will

achieved its goals, not only to ensure but to consolidate the gains, for the bright future

of the Philippines and its people.

The financial system should serve the real economy. The budget which is allocated for

the development of this country must spent efficiently. In this case, Government agencies

should make sure that the funds for government programs are well spent.

As a citizen in this country, I’m hoping that these government programs are helpful in

the attainment of economic growth and country’s progress.