Ilang senador, inihirit na dagdagan ang pondo ng defense sector sa susunod na taon
Ilang senador, inihirit na dagdagan ang pondo ng defense sector sa susunod na taon
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00:00 The senators also looked at the country's growing debt of Php 14 trillion.
00:06 And it's possible that it will rise in 2024.
00:09 Daniel Manalastas has the details.
00:12 The country can buy a water cannon, laser and a big ship.
00:19 This is what Senator Ronald De La Rosa insisted on the continuation of the budget hearing in the Senate.
00:24 He insisted that the budget for social and economic services can be reduced.
00:30 The soldiers who are guarding the country are pitiful,
00:33 just like the situation in BRP Sierra Madre.
00:36 It's just a water pump.
00:37 If we pour water from a Chinese ship,
00:42 we can respond to it.
00:45 We can fight with the water.
00:47 That's all.
00:48 I saw my people dying before my eyes during encounters with the enemy.
00:53 If we use this water to fight the Chinese,
00:59 our coast guard will be pitiful.
01:02 If you are the president, it's done.
01:03 That's it.
01:04 We will wait. I will be the president and I will make this country great.
01:09 I have no dreams of becoming the president.
01:12 But according to the economic managers,
01:14 it's possible but it's difficult to do.
01:17 The population of the youth is high now.
01:19 That's why the fund should be added to health care, social protection and education.
01:24 We understand the need especially now.
01:28 That's why given our limited fiscal space,
01:31 we still try to increase the budget of our defense sector.
01:36 In fact, the share is from 4.4 to 4.9 percent.
01:39 That's our aim.
01:41 We have a very young population.
01:43 The median age is 25.
01:46 In an aging world, that's the most important thing for us.
01:51 So I will argue that we should continue to provide for social services.
01:58 Of course, since you're the president, I will do my best to comply.
02:03 Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri emphasized his call to ban some Chinese products.
02:09 According to the senator, there are still many countries that can import
02:13 and there are products that are already available in the country, like fruits and vegetables.
02:17 It's like we're cooking ourselves in our own oil.
02:21 We're too obsessed with China.
02:23 I mean, we can always get South Korean contractors.
02:26 We can always get Japanese contractors.
02:28 We can get Vietnamese contractors.
02:30 Secretary Bautista told me that all Chinese contracts are gone.
02:35 They're not going anywhere.
02:36 South Rail, they abandoned it.
02:38 It may have the following potential effects.
02:41 For example, implementation of official development assistance projects
02:47 from bilateral and multilateral ODA partners alike,
02:51 particularly for projects considering multiple country participation, including China,
02:57 as a member of the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank,
03:03 and the World Bank.
03:04 So that might affect the implementation of those projects.
03:08 Procurement, let me finish, your honor.
03:11 Procurement of locally funded projects and even PPP implementation
03:16 if the main contractor, suppliers, or subcontractors will be Chinese firms or Chinese nationals.
03:22 Potential impact on the economy for possible delays in the projects that will be affected.
03:28 And in front of the economic managers, Zubiri also insisted on raising the wage.
03:34 Our workers, Mr. Secretary, are in the rut.
03:37 They are in the rut.
03:38 Can we give them a bit of a fighting chance?
03:41 The proposed P150 increase could bring the country's inflation rate further away.
03:48 Right now, the average is 5.6% for the year.
03:52 The inflation might increase again.
03:54 Meanwhile, Senator Rafi Tulfo questioned the national ID system.
03:59 How many years after the program was launched?
04:02 From my understanding, there are about 20 million wrong designs.
04:09 So what will happen to the new designs? Will they be thrown in the trash?
04:14 Why subcontract if the BSP can print the ID?
04:17 I will just guess.
04:19 Because one contractor is favored and it looks like there is a big income here.
04:25 We have competitive bidding.
04:27 There is bidding. Competitive bidding.
04:29 We didn't just give it.
04:31 We have substantial by next year.
04:33 So by next year, we will have national ID that people can use.
04:37 The senators' suggestion to the Senate on the second day of budget hearing was a left-wing issue.
04:42 The members of the economic team responded.
04:45 It is expected that the next days will be more fruitful when various agencies and the government will join.
04:53 Daniel Manalastas for the "Bayan".