THE SENATE should allow local officials to take part in budget discussions to ensure the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for next year addresses grassroots needs, Senate President Francis G. Escudero said on Wednesday.
He suggested that governors, mayors and other local government executives be invited to the chamber to contribute to deliberations, helping to reduce wasteful spending and flag budget items prone to corruption.
鈥淭hey have been sidelined for too long,鈥 he said in a statement. 鈥淚t is now time to give them a seat at the table.鈥
The call comes amid a push to improve transparency in the budget process, after allegations of congressional insertions in this year鈥檚 spending plan.
Mr. Escudero said local leaders could help 鈥渧et and verify鈥 whether proposed projects meet community needs.
鈥淭he perspectives of leaders on the ground are invaluable in determining which projects are necessary and which are not,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey can also help flag possible overpricing in the appropriations being requested.鈥 鈥 Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
