The national government’s spending surged by 43 percent year-on-year in April to P261.2 billion, driven mainly by a doubling of expenses on infrastructure, according to the Department of Budget and Management.
This brought disbursements for the first four months of 2018 to P1.03 trillion, up 29 percent from P798.4 billion in the same period last year.
Budget Secretary Ben E. Diokno yesterday said in a briefing that disbursements for infrastructure and other capital outlays last month jumped 96 percent to P65.6 billion from P33.5 billion in April 2017.
“We are keeping our foot on the gas pedal with regard to government spending,” Diokno said. “We will maintain this positive momentum for the rest of the year.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways helped rev up spending with the upgrading and widening of roads and bridges; building and improvement of roads that lead to tourist destinations; building flood control structures and drainage systems; preventive maintenance for existing infrastructure, and payment of right-of-way claims.
Also helping accelerate spending were outlays for state universities and colleges, particularly on information technology gear for the University of the Philippines System.
The DILF also purchased equipment while the Philippine National Police built police stations.
As for maintenance and other operating expenses, this increased by a third to P33.4 billion, thanks to expenses for the operating needs of public schools nationwide.
Diokno said this was boosted by the payment of college tuition to student beneficiaries through the Higher Education Support Fund and the release of allowances and benefits that the Commission on Higher Education provides to scholars.
In terms of expenses on government employees, the government saw a jump of 24 percent to P71.8 billion.
The government implemented the third tranche of wage increase for state workers, including those in the military and uniformed service.
“This shows that the bureaucracy is in a good position to shift to a cash-based budget next year,” Diokno said.