In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Senate wrapped up its plenary discussions on the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for the year 2024. The session concluded at 4:50 a.m. after nine days of deliberations.
Notable highlights from the Senate’s discussions include the removal of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education’s proposed confidential funds for 2024. Additionally, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) withdrew their requests for controversial funds.
Following the debates, the Senate finance committee will introduce amendments to the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Subsequently, the GAB will undergo second and third reading approvals.
Furthermore, the confidential funds of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) were reduced during the deliberations.
To reconcile the conflicting provisions between the Senate and the House of Representatives’ versions of the proposed 2024 national budget, a bicameral conference will be convened.
Once the reconciled version is approved, it will be ratified in both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to Malacañang for the president’s review and approval.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 21, 2023
