The House of Representatives plans to approve the proposed P5.268 trillion budget for 2023 by Sept. 28, according to Committee on Appropriations senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo.
“If all things go well, by September 28 ay pwede na natin tapusin ang period of debate, bubuksan din natin ang period of amendments. Kapag naman ma-certify na urgent ang bill na ‘to, which is typically the case, pwede na rin po natin aprubahan on third reading itong bill natin on September 28,” Quimbo said in a public briefing.
The House of Representatives is set to start plenary debates on the national budget by Tuesday.
Education received the highest proposed funding with P852.8 billion, followed by infrastructure with P718.4 billion, health with P296.3 billion, social protection with P197 billion, and agriculture with P184.1 billion.
Quimbo noted that the 4.9% increase in the annual budget is important since the government is still working on recovering the economy from the health crisis and the allocation of more funding to sectors like agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Finance has already commenced its deliberations on the proposed budget. The higher chamber plans to pass its version in late November to be followed by a bicameral conference.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may sign the 2023 budget by early to mid-December.
— Ronald Espartinez