Press Release - Tolentino: Manifestation at the hearing of the proposed 2025 budget of the DSWD,...

Opening statement: Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) budget hearing

Thank you for giving me a chance to have an introductory statement. Just looking at the budget of the DSWD, Secretary, I'd like to congratulate you for a job well done. Dami nating dinaanang bagyo, kalamidad, DSWD has been at the forefront, not just in releasing the necessary wherewithals for calamity-stricken constituents, but providing the government presence as well.

But looking at the budget, siguro continuing question ito sa lahat ng agencies na nandito. It appears there would be a P7.3 billion reduction, or P18.052 billion reduction from your current 2024 budget. This general question would be applicable to all the agencies here present.

I'm looking at the budget, all the agencies present here. Take note, there would be a reduction, consequent reduction per agency. I'm focusing right now on Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula). Recalibrating Region IX is important right now insofar as my focus is concerned, because of the Supreme Court decision last week, removing Sulu from BARMM. This is part of my opening statement but this is my continuing question. Your Central Office, under the GAA of 2024, has P11 billion. Now it has been reduced to P10 billion for the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Current rules would dictate, and perhaps an executive fiat would be issued that Sulu, which was removed from BARMM, will be transferred to Region IX. Binabaan pa yung Region IX, 'di ba, ng Central Office. At lahat ng ahensyang tinitingnan ko rito, lahat ng Region IX bumaba. For instance, NCIP, lahat na.

So, continuing question addressed to the Secretary, as well as the various heads of the agencies here present, how do you rectify this? How do you fill the blank left by the budgetary gap because of the removal of Sulu from the financial arm of BARMM? So that's just my question. But again, I'm just here to listen, perhaps interject at the proper time Madam Chair.

Again, congratulations to Secretary Gatchalian and the DSWD family for a job well done in responding to the various calamities confronted by the nation. Maraming salamat po Madam Chair. Thank you.

Manifestation: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency