Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

WITHOUT "fanfare," as the Offi ce of the President stated in its press release, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the country’s national budget for 2009 last Thursday, March 12, to the amount of P1.414 trillion. Included in the budget is the P10-billion Economic Stimulus Fund (ESF).

The signing of the bill is said to "pave the way for public spending that will blunt the effects of the global economic downturn on the country," according to Budget Secretary Rolanda Andaya, Jr.

President Arroyo believes that food and stability and security are the major priorities, making sure that food supplies remain stable to put food on the table of Filipinos. This is why percentage-wise, among the highest budget increases from the 2008 to the 2009 national budgets went to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Now that the budget has been passed, many Filipinos await the benefi ts. The amount is staggering, if you see it as a whole. But in reality, it will all depend on the way it has been allocated to different government agencies and how it will be used.

We hope that corruption, greed, red tape and bureaucracy won’t take over. During this time of economic crisis, the Filipinos need to benefi t from the budget to make their lives better. In this way, they would be able to see that the government is working to provide a path to economic recovery. (AJPress)

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( Published on March 14, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A12 )