Q1 2022 public infra spending up despite election ban

MANILA, Philippines—Total public infrastructure spending in the first quarter of 2022 inched up 4 percent year-on-year to P252.8 billion despite the ban on new projects ahead of the May 9 presidential elections, which slowed down rollout of the national government’s infra projects.

The latest Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data on Tuesday (May 24) showed that infrastructure disbursements — which included infrastructure components of equity and subsidies injected into state-run corporations plus transfers to local governments — from January to March rose from P243 billion during the first three months of last year.ADVERTISEMENT

However, the national government’s expenditures on infrastructure and other capital outlays declined by 2.6 percent to P190.2 billion as of end-March from P195.2 billion in 2021.

In a report, the DBM blamed the lower year-on-year spending of the national government on infrastructure mainly to “the timing of payables for regular infrastructure programs.”FEATURED STORIESBUSINESSTeenagers grow micro business amid pandemicBUSINESSGlobal economic storm looming – leaders in Davos forumBUSINESSDOF: BIR audit of Megaworld not over yet

“Disbursements are expected to slow down in April and May following the 45-day election ban on certain public expenditures pursuant to the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the conduct of the 2022 national and local elections. Spending is seen to normalize towards the end of May once the ban ends,” the DBM said.

But last March alone, the national government’s infrastructure and other capital outlays grew 14.2 percent year-on-year and 81.4 percent month-on-month to P100.2 billion.

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