SUBSIDIES for state-run firms doubled in June, with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) the largest share, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) show.
The national government remitted to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) a total of P32.31 billion in June, up from the P16.05 billion a year earlier.
Against May levels of P4.1 billion, however, subsidies were nearly eight times larger.
Total subsidies in the first half amounted to P58.22 billion, up 59.08% from a year earlier.
Subsidies issued in the first half are equivalent to 38.25% of the P152.22 billion allocated for the full year.
In the first half, NIA took in the most subsidies among GOCCs at P20.09 billion, or about 34.51% of the total.
During his campaign, President Rodrigo R. Duterte had promised free irrigation for farmers.
This was followed by the National Housing Authority at P12 billion, then the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. at P9.27 billion, and the National Food Authority at P5.1 billion.
The lowest totals were granted to the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and the People’s Television Network, Inc. at P12 billion and P13 billion, respectively. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
