Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19) — The House of Representatives aims to approve the proposed ₱5.268 trillion budget for 2023 by Sept. 28, Committee on Appropriations senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo said Monday.
“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,” she said in a public briefing.
[Translation: If all things go well, by September 28 we can end the period of debates, we will open the period of amendments. If the bill is certified urgent, which is typically the case, we can approve this bill on third reading on September 28.]
The lower chamber is scheduled to start plenary debates on Tuesday.
The education sector accounted for the highest funding with ₱852.8 billion, followed by infrastructure (₱718.4 billion), health (₱296.3 billion), social protection (₱197 billion), and agriculture (₱184.1 billion).
Quimbo said the 4.9% increase in next year’s budget is important as the government continues to work on recovering the economy from the health crisis and the allocation of more funding to sectors like agriculture.
The Senate Committee on Finance has already started its deliberations on the budget bill. It targets to pass its version of the budget bill in late November to be followed by a bicameral conference.
Once completed, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may sign the 2023 budget by early to mid-December.
