Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) — The Department of Budget and Management said Tuesday it is targeting to submit the proposed P5.024-trillion budget for 2022 to Congress on Aug. 23.
The 1987 Constitution requires the President to give Congress the budget proposal within 30 days from the opening of every regular session.
The 18th Congress opened its third regular session on July 26.
“Ang target date of submission ay — tinitignan po namin iyong Aug. 23, 2021,” DBM Assistant Secretary Rolly Toledo told a Laging Handa briefing.
[Translation: We are looking at Aug. 23, 2021 as the target date of submission.]
DBM is currently finalizing the new national spending plan, as well as preparing related budgetary documents, he added.
The proposed expenditure program sets aside funds for COVID-19 response efforts, including procurement of test kits, hiring of healthcare workers, the establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the implementation of health programs in accordance with the Universal Health Care Act, the department earlier said.
The budget for COVID-19 vaccine boosters will also be allocated under the unprogrammed appropriations, the DBM said. Unprogrammed appropriations refer to items that will be funded if revenue collections exceed targets or when additional grants or foreign funds are generated.
The spending plan also seeks to provide budgetary support for the Build, Build, Build Program, the national ID system project, the tertiary education of public students, and disadvantaged local governments, the agency added.
