LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – An Administration lawmaker warned a significant decline in the country’s economic growth this year and the coming years with the projected owner spending by the government after the declaration of a portion of the controversial multi-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC).
Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan, chairman of the House committee on public works, said the interference of the SC to purely political issues like government spending will translate to lowered government spending on infrastructure that will significantly affect current moves to attract the influx of investors to potential business opportunities in the different parts of the archipelago.
“Development goes with intensive government spending for infrastructure and livelihood which was the primary purpose of the DAP but now that it was partly declared unconstitutional, there will surely be economic slowdown in the country probably this year and the coming years,” Coslan stressed.
He said the failure of government to improve the infrastructure leading to the different potential growth areas in the country because of the restricted spending of money will not contribute in the government efforts to attract investors who want better quality of roads, telecommunication facilities among others.
Cosalan believes the country’s economic growth which was pegged by government economists at around 6.5 to 7 percent will not be achieved and that it will slide down to around 5 to 6 percent because of calibrated government spending.
He explained a huge portion of the DAP was primarily used to bankroll infrastructure development in most parts of the country through the building of roads, airports, seaports, among others to serve as an added attraction for investors to be lured to invest in potential business sites all over the country.
Cosalan branded the SC ruling against the DAP as a deterrent to the momentum of the Aquino administration to implement worthwhile projects in the countryside and deprive Filipino people with sustainable economic growth through increased employment opportunities and sources of livelihood that will tend to improve their living condition in the future.
He cited too much intervention by the high tribunal to the normal affairs of government does not speak well of the country’s political situation where there is likely an abuse on the part of the SC on its powers on check and balance.
He opined the continued use of the DAP for priority administration development projects in the under developed parts of the country would have allowed the Aquino administration to leave behind a legacy that would be treasured by the people.
Cosalan cited Congress will have to make do with the allowed project implementation of the executive budget considering the SC ruling against the DAP and people will have to wait longer for the completion of major infrastructure projects in their places in the coming years.
