Several members of the House of Representatives defended the decision of the House Committee on Appropriations and its Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee to retain unprogrammed appropriations in the proposed 2026 national budget.
House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno said disaster relief operations are included in unprogrammed appropriations.
"Kasi we cannot anticipate disasters. Hindi natin ma-anticipate 'yung mga sakuna. So, for example, this year, nakadalawang malaking earthquake na tayo in the past week alone. Kailan last nangyari 'yan, di ba? Ang tagal na. So hindi inasahan talaga 'yan," Puno said in an ambush interview Friday.
(Because we cannot anticipate disasters. We cannot anticipate tragedies.
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