Muslim and Christian leaders said yesterday that the R1.05-trillion national budget for 2006 approved by the House of Representatives could be a potent weapon for the permanent upliftment of the Filipino people from poverty as envisioned by President Arroyo.
They said this is because this budget heavily invests on education, transportation and infrastructure, and various economic and social projects that will stimulate the creation of millions of jobs, and provide Filipinos access to education, electricity, and potable water.
Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Mangudadatu and his son Rep. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, Rep. Annie Rosa L. Susano of the second district of Quezon City, party-list Rep. Acmad M. Tomawis, Pateros, Metro Manila Mayor Rosendo T. Capco, Quezon City Council Majority Floor Leader Ariel Enrile Inton, Quezon City Council First Assistant Majority Floor Leader Dante M. de Guzman, and Councilor Cesar B. Brillantes of San Juan, Ilocos Sur said this budget has a big allocation for the social services sector amounting to R293.2 billion, half of which will go to education and manpower development.
Susano, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the 2006 budget also allocates R197.2 billion for economic services, the second highest recipient by sectoral allocation, to help spur employment, and decentralize progress to the countryside.
"Given the multiplier effect of capital expenditures to the economy, particularly on investments on infrastructure, the national government has incorporated a R72.4-billion infrastructure program to facilitate access to markets, economic opportunities, and social services as well as improve delivery of public services to the people,’’ Susano pointed out.
Gov. Mangudadatu and Rep. Mangudadatu said this budget will spur development in the countryside because of the allocation of R8 billion for its two programs, Kilos Asenso and Kalayaan Barangay, with an allotment of R5 billion and R3 billion, respectively. (E. T. Suarez)
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