On Tuesday, the Senate gave its approval for the proposed ₱5.768-trillion national budget for 2024. The General Appropriations Bill received a 21-0 vote in favor, with Senator Koko Pimentel abstaining. Senator Risa Hontiveros mentioned that she would provide an explanation for her vote.
Now, the Senate and the House of Representatives will work together to reconcile the differences between their respective versions of the spending bill. Last week, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his aim to have the bill approved by November 29.
In September, the proposed budget was approved by House lawmakers without any amendments introduced during the plenary sessions. The bill was previously certified as “urgent” by the president, who emphasized the necessity of maintaining uninterrupted government operations after the fiscal year ends.
During a briefing on Tuesday morning, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could sign the proposed budget before departing for Japan in December. The president is scheduled to attend the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit from December 16 to 18.
Compared to the current ₱5.268-trillion budget, the proposed expenditure program represents a 9.5% increase.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 29, 2023
