A Mindanao bishop wants lawmakers to stay out of public works projects in the P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017.
Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways said lawmakers were elected to make laws and not implement such projects.
“I think it would be good if it will be given to the agencies of the government like DPWH and then sila na mag–i-implement. Anyway our congressmen and senators they are elected in order to enact laws, in order to make laws, and they are not to implement projects,” he said on Church-run Radyo Veritas.
He added it would be good if such a task would be given to the different agencies of the government.
Congress has started tackling the proposed budget for 2017.
“Ang importante lang yung sincerity, yung transparency and then the money is spent talaga for the particular project para sa ahensya,” Jumoad said.
The budget for 2017 is 11 percent higher than this year’s budget.
Also, Jumoad said he believes the Duterte administration will be sincere in in making sure the 2017 budget has no pork barrel.
