TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has backed House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s call for greater accountability in the national budget, stressing that government agencies must deliver results—not just submit reports.
“We must be clear: real accountability goes beyond compliance. It’s about outcomes. If agencies can’t deliver, they must answer to the people,” he said in a statement.
Acidre cited the Department of Tourism (DOT) as an example of underperformance despite sufficient funding, pointing out the country’s failure to rebound in tourist arrivals post-pandemic compared to neighbors like Thailand and Malaysia.
“In 2024, we only had 5.95 million tourists—far below pre-pandemic levels and regional benchmarks. The DOT had the funds and the mandate, but lacked direction. That is unacceptable,” he said.
Acidre stressed that a budget that doesn’t translate into jobs, infrastructure, or inflation relief is meaningless.
“Numbers don’t feed families. If agencies can’t perform, they shouldn’t get the funds. The Filipino people deserve better,” he said.
He vowed that TINGOG will continue pushing for a budget process that prioritizes performance and public service over empty spending.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
