FDC In The News: Alternative Budget Initiative Consortium on 2008 NG Budget

Our press conference, under the banner of the Alternative Budget Initiative consortium, yesterday came out in the front pages of The Daily Tribune (photo) and Businessmirror (article). It also came out on February 3 in Micronesia’ Marianas Variety.

BusinessMirror
01 February 2008, Page 1
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0201&022008/headlines03.html

Budget ‘warriors’ warn against veto
By Fernan Marasigan
Reporter

CITING conflicting and disagreeable statements from government officials on the insertions and realignments and reduction in interest payments on debts, budget “warriors” warned Thursday against a possible veto or calibrated fund release by President Arroyo of the 2008 budget.

“Members of the Alternative Budget Initiative [ABI] are saying ‘no’ to the planned veto or calibrated fund release by the administration. While the budget is not perfect, it responds to the public demand that allocations for education, health, agriculture, environment and other Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] be increased. The 2008 budget approved by the House and Senate is likewise historic as the process allowed participation from civil society,” said Prof. Leonor Briones, convenor of Social Watch-Philippines and spokesperson of ABI.

But Rep. Edcel Lagman of Lakas, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, allayed fears of a possible veto or a calibrated release of funds, saying that with the looming slowdown because of a possible recession in the US, it will be counterproductive if the funds are not released.

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Marianas Variety
03 February 2008, Micronesia
http://www.mvariety.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=6092&format=html

Philippine Digest: 2008 budget
By Nelson S. Badilla

MANILA — A staunch supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo fears she will veto the 1.227 trillion pesos, or $30.67 billion, General Appropriations Act of 2008, after Congress passed a version that reduced the items for debt payments.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said they did not change the budget amount proposed by the administration.  “The challenge is for the revenue-collection agencies to fulfill their targets and not incur shortfalls,” he added.

The left-leaning Freedom from Debt Coalition lauds the lawmakers’ decision to reduce the allocation for debt payments.

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