Wednesday, October 01, 2008

House okays proposed P9.7 billion ARMM budget

The sub-committee of the committee on appropriations of the House of Representattives approved Wednesday the budget proposal of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for 2009.

The 9.7-Billion proposed budget is higher by at least 11% than the region’s FY-2008 budget. The allocation is expected to respond to the needs and demands for development in the area of autonomy.

The regional government placed emphasis on addressing priority areas such as health and basic education and infrastructure. However, the increase would barely make up for the urgent relief and rehabilitation needs of certain areas in the region.

The ongoing military pursuit against elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has displaced thousands of civilians and damaged properties including social infrastructures in the provinces of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan.

ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan has already provided 3-Million pesos drawn from his special purpose fund to extend aid to families affected by the war.

Almost 70% of the proposed budget would go personnel services, only 12% will be used for capital outlay and the rest for maintenance and other operating expenses.

Members of the sub-committee, which is chaired by Tawi-Tawi Congressman Nur Jaafar, unanimously approved and endorsed the FY2009 proposed ARMM budget.

“We like to keep the pace of development we’ve introduced. The proposed budget is crucial in determining the kind and level of intervention that we can provide to address the pressing needs of the region,” Ampatuan said.(BPI-ARMM)

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