ROXAS: HOUSE VERSION OF 2009 BUDGET NEEDS OVERHAUL
FINANCIAL TSUNAMI REQUIRES DECISIVE SENATE ACTION

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said today he will press the Senate leadership, particularly Senate finance committee chair Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, to refocus the proposed 2009 national budget to make it more effective in dealing with the impact of the global financial crisis.

Roxas, chair of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, said financial and economic assumptions in the 2009 General Appropriations Act (GAA) approved on second reading by the House of Representatives last Friday were based on global conditions before the financial crisis hit the US and other Western markets.

"Malinaw na malinaw na ibang-iba na ang hinaharap nating problema sa susunod na taon. Dahil inaprubahan na ng Kamara ang budget, nasa Senado na ang pagbabago nito (It's very clear that we are now facing very different situation. Since the House has already approved the budget, it's up to the Senate to do the changes)," he said.

Roxas earlier urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to convene a multi-party budget summit to take up the global financial crisis and its impact on the Philippines, using the proposed 2009 national budget as a tool to shield Filipinos from its direct effects.

"Kakausapin ko ang bawat Senador para ilahad sa kanila ang kahalagahan ng pagbabago ng ating mga prayoridad. Hindi pwedeng tanggapin ang pagkakulang na budget para sa agrikultura, sa edukasyon at iba pang mga programa (I will speak to each senator to convey to them the importance of this shift in our priorities. We can't accept the inadequate funds for agriculture, education and other programs," he added.

The Ilonggo senator said the government has to prepare for the possibility of mass layoffs among OFWs, reduced dollar remittances, lower demand for Philippine goods abroad and lower incomes for Filipino families.

"Napakalaki ang epekto nito sa atin, sa darating na buwan. Pero may magagawa ang gobyerno para iwasan ang pinakamalalang epekto nito. Kailangang kumilos agad (This will have a huge effect here, in the coming months. But the government can still avoid the worst effects of this. We have to act now)," he said.

In particular, Roxas said the 2009 budget must provide basic goods and services for the poor, such as food, education and support programs for businesses in order to weather the financial storm.

"Bago lahat, kailangang pakainin lahat ng mga Pilipino. Magagawa ito sa pagbigay ng tulong sa mga magsasaka para makaani sila ng sapat para sa pangangailangan ng bansa, para hindi na kailangang umangkat sa iba (First of all, we have to make sure Filipinos are fed. This can be done by providing assistance to farmers so they can harvest enough for the needs of the country, and we no longer need to import from abroad)," he said.

"Kailangan ring siguruhin ang edukasyon ng ating mga bata. At kailangan ring tulungan ang ating mga negosyo, dahil kung hindi, maaari silang sumara at marami pang mawawalan ng trabaho. Dapat may sapat na financial assistance para sa mga maliliit na negosyo (We also have to ensure the education of our children. And we also have to help our businesses, because if not, they may close down and many will lose their jobs. Our small businesses must be given all the financial assistance they need)," he said.