Aquino debunks underspending claims
By Virgil B. Lopez
Friday, November 4, 2011
CONTINUOUSLY criticized for his government’s slow disbursement of funds, President Benigno Aquino III said in an interview Friday on video sharing site YouTube that fiscal prudence is not underspending.
“The criticism is that we’ve been underspending. But it’s actually a question of managing the resources because we are talking about the people’s money,” he told Ross LeJounesse, head of Google Asia Pacific’s public policy and government affairs.
As of the end of the third quarter, data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) show that actual expenditures minus debt service continue to lag program spending by as much as P195 billion–P847 billion versus P1.04 trillion.
The government justifies the delay, saying it reviews spending plans and contracts. However, critics and some economists believe it can both speed up implementation of projects while ensuring zero corruption.
“After all, President Aquino has appointed Cabinet members that are supposed to be honest and competent. After almost 15 months in office, they should be able to show some solid accomplishments,” University of the Philippines economist Benjamin Diokno said.
The government operates under a P1.645-trillion budget this year.
Earlier, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima expressed confidence of a further uptick in spending towards the end of the year “with the goal of boosting economic growth and alleviating the lives of the poor while keeping in check our fiscal situation.”
The inter-agency Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC) slashed the Philippines’ growth targets to 4.4 percent to 5.4 percent, from the previous 5 percent to 6 percent forecast due to effects of weakening US and European economies.
The economy grew only four percent in the first half of 2011, compared to eight percent in the same period in 2010, an election year.
Last month, the President unveiled a P72-billion expenditure package that aims to speed up infrastructure and poverty alleviation projects.
But Diokno had said that the economic stimulus program will have marginal effect on public spending this year given the lack of time to carry out the projects.
During the interview, the President also announced that the number of beneficiaries for the conditional cash transfer program might reach 2.3 million households this month.
Launched during Aquino’s predecessor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the CCT provides cash grants to extremely poor households as long as they keep kids in school and ensure their health.
He also talked about his commitment for the passage of the controversial reproductive health bill, his appeal to critics to help in nation-building, and his belief in Santa Claus.
The President is the first Asian head of state to grace the event where people all over the world had the opportunity to ask questions to Aquino directly.
Besides Aquino, President Barack Obama of the United States, Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain have participated in the worldview interviews.(Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/11/04/aquino-debunks-underspending-claims-youtube-interview-188717
Best Restaurant in Clark Pampanga unveils regional dinner menu featuring the classic cuisine of Italy, all designed to pair nicely with fine vintage wines from Italy’s wine regions such as Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto and Sicily, one more reasons for food and wine lovers to travel to Angeles City, Clark Philippines to satisfy their thirst for a wonderful meal at a fine dining restaurant, the best place to eat in Pampanga.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions
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The new regional set menus rolled out recently by the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga stirred up renewed interest among visitors from Manila for real fine dining treat in Clark Pampanga as wine lovers from Subic, Tarlac, Manila, Angeles City, Clark Pampanga Philippines wine and dine at Yats Restaurant to enjoy good food paired with fine vintage wines from the wine cellars of this highly recommended resto bar in Pampanga
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Visitors come from Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at Yats Restaurant. Many guests order excellent white wine from the award-winning restaurant wine list of this famous fine dining restaurant in Clark. Favorite wine orders for guests in this restaurant include Chablis, Chassagne-Montrachet, Sancerre, Chardonnay of Chile’s Casa Lapastolle, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and South Africa, Rose from Anjou, Pinot Noir from USA and Burgundy France and the all-time favorite, Meursault. A wide range of sparkling wine and Champagne is available also in this restaurant in Pampanga which is famous for its selection of vintage wines. Popular choices of guests in this restaurant include Paul Bara Champagne, Crement de Bourgogne, MUMM Cuvee Napa Sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Errol and Anafe
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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