Cebu lawmaker decries delay in release budget for frontliners, scholars

Local

A LAWMAKER in Cebu has criticized the national government for reportedly failing to release millions in financial assistance on time, raising concerns over possible political motives in the distribution of public funds.

Cebu 3rd District Rep. Karen Garcia has criticized the national government for being unable to release P65.5 million in financial assistance for barangay frontliners and students, despite the funds having been earmarked in the 2026 national budget.

“For the past seven years, this assistance has always been released every October. Our frontliners and our students could count on it. Now November is almost over and there is still nothing,” Garcia said in a statement.

Of the P65.5 million in financial aid, P12.108 million has been set aside for barangay frontliners and P53.468 million in educational assistance for college students.

The funds were supposed to benefit 6,054 barangay frontliners from 230 barangays and 13,367 students enrolled in universities and state colleges across the district, Garcia said.

“We can only hope that the national government will still release what is rightfully earmarked for them,” she added.

While she did not identify the specific government agency responsible for the delay or explain why the funds had yet to be released, Garcia linked the reductions in her district's allocation to the political fallout surrounding the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Districts whose representatives voted against the impeachment were facing potential budget cuts in 2027, she pointed out.

Citing data from BetterGov.ph comparing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) with the House-approved version of the 2027 budget, Garcia said the 3rd District’s allocation was reduced by P332 million, leaving it with only P222.2 million.

She described this as the lowest allocation among congressional districts in Cebu province.

The 4th District, represented by Rep. Sun Shimura, also experienced a reduction, with its allocation cut by P304.7 million, leaving P264 million, according to Garcia.

Garcia further pointed out that the proposed 2027 budget contained no road projects for her district, including maintenance funding for the Transcentral Highway, a major route connecting Cebu City to Balamban.

The latest concerns echo the National Unity Party's (NUP) call for the government to ensure that the 2027 national budget is allocated and released based on established legal standards rather than political considerations.

Garcia is a member of the NUP.

In a letter to House Committee on Appropriations Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing, NUP Chairman Ronaldo V. Puno argued that the distribution of public funds should be determined by law and public need.

“Where a road is built, who receives medical assistance, and which student gets a scholarship should depend on law and on need, not on who is in favor,” Puno said.

“When allocations rise or fall with a vote, the budget stops being a plan for the country and becomes a tool for reward and punishment,” he added.(RBE)