Gov’t spending P4.5B for infra dev’t in Dec.

Malacanang is spending P4.5 billion more for public infrastructure this month, particularly for the construction and rehabilitation of national roads and the installation of road safety devices across the country.

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said Friday the disbursement was meant to help boost government spending and “bring direct, immediate, and substantial benefits to Filipinos by improving public access to schools, hospitals, tourism spots and market centers.”

“(This) will not only improve national roads but also spur economic activities in local communities,” Abad said.

He said the amount, released to the Department of Public Works and Highways, was funded by the motor vehicle users’ charge.

Of the total, P4.13 billion will be used for the preventive maintenance of some 1,203 kilometers of national roads through 516 separate projects.

Also, P385 million will be used for the installation, application, and construction of road safety devices along 578.5 kilometers of national roads nationwide.

Malacañang “approved the release of the amount after recognizing the importance of road safety projects in reducing the negative social and economic effects of road accidents,” Abad said.

He said the Aquino administration had committed to have all national roads paved by 2014.  By 2016, all secondary roads should be covered.

In a related development, Abad said the Department of Budget and Management had already released the entire P11.5 billion needed to cover the productivity enhancement incentive (PEI) or Christmas bonus for government employees, who will receive up to P10,000 each.

“All the funds needed to pay for the PEI are already in the hands of government departments and agencies, including state universities and colleges,” he said. “Agencies are now responsible for distributing the PEI to their employees in a timely manner.”

Qualified to receive the PEI are those with regular, casual or contractual status and are still in service as of Nov. 30.

For employees of government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial institutions, the amount will be charged against the savings of the state firms, fully or partially depending on their sufficiency of funds.

Employees in the legislature and judiciary, as well as in other offices enjoying fiscal autonomy, may be granted a maximum of P10,000, which will be charge against the agencies’ respective savings.