Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — The House of Representatives aims to approve the proposed national budget for 2024 before Congress goes on break in October.
“May balita na ang BBM ay magsu-sumite ng ating 2024 budget, [national] expenditure program, a week after SONA. Kapag nangyari po ‘yan, sigurado na tatapusin natin yung budget before the break, our October break,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a press briefing.
[Translation: There’s news BBM (President Bongbong Marcos) might submit the 2024 budget, the national expenditure program, a week after SONA. If that happens, we will finish working on the budget before the break, our October break.]
The president earlier approved the proposed ₱5.768-trillion budget for next year, which is a 9.5% increase from 2023’s ₱5.268 trillion.
The Department of Budget and Management said it plans to submit the proposed national budget to Congress \”a few weeks\” after Marcos’ second State of the Nation Address on July 24.
Romualdez, a cousin of the president, said the lower chamber averages five weeks to work and deliberate on the national budget.
He added that the swift passage of the proposed 2024 national expenditure program would allow Marcos to enact it by December.
“Bago mag-Pasko, kaya nang i-pirma na ‘yan. Para sa Enero, on day one…released na yung budget,” said Romualdez.
