Jan-April gov’t infra spending up 45%

MANILA, Philippines – The government continues to shore up infrastructure spending this year to sustain the country’s growth and create jobs.

For the first 4 months of 2013, disbursements for infrastructure and other capital outlays rose 44.8% year on year to P75.2 billion, the Department of Budget and Management said in a statement.

The increase was mainly due to disbursements for key infrastructure projects undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways, amounting to P40 billion.

“Through our budget reforms and, consequently, the improved quality of public spending, we were able to fill out crucial resource and supply gaps that may have affected the country’s fast-growing industries. Our disbursement performance proves that the Aquino administration is on track in fulfilling its goal of strengthening the country’s infrastructure base,” said Budget chief Florencio Abad.

“Our public expenditure reforms have also allowed us to deliver direct, quality programs and social services to the people at a significantly faster pace—as we have seen year-on-year—targeted towards achieving rapid, sustainable and inclusive growth,” he added.

Spending on maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOEs) grew 30.4% to P97.9 billion in January to April. Among the MOOEs were preparatory activities for the 2013 mid-term elections as well as increased provisions to cover the conditional cash transfer program and the conduct of census of agriculture and fisheries. – Rappler.com