SENATE RATIFIES P5.768-TRILLION 2024 NATIONAL BUDGET

THE Senate on Monday ratified the proposed P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for fiscal year 2024.

This was after the bicameral conference committee approved the reconciled provisions of the GAA on Monday morning.

According to Senator Sonny Angara, the bicameral conference agreed to increase the budget of the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies focusing on peace and order.

Angara said funding support for the enhancement of the country’s self-reliance in agriculture was also maintained, not only to raise the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk but also to ensure the country’s food security.

The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance also noted that education remains a top priority of the 2024 GAA.

Angara also said that additional funds were likewise allocated for the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients and the Health Facilities Enhancement Programs.

He added that the 2024 national budget shall also devote funds for infrastructure, for greater mobility through roads, bridges, railways, and seaports.

Manwhile, House Appropriations Committee chairman Elizaldy Co said that the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for next year will fund President Ferdinand “Bngbong” Marcos Jr’s legacy projects aimed at ensuring food security, quality health care, and affordable housing for Filipinos

Co said the House contingent fought hard to keep budget provisions to boost food production to fight inflation, assistance to poor and near-poor families, as well as social and medical services during the bicameral conference committee meeting on next year’s spending plan.

“Pagkain, trabaho, kalusugan, edukasyon at pabahay – ‘yan ang mga pamana ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na bibigyang katuparan sa pamamagitan ng pambansang budget sa 2024 at mga susunod na taon,” Co said.

“But apart from regular budget items, we’re most proud of three legacy projects that President Marcos and (House) Speaker Martin Romualdez hope to fulfill through this budget. These include Legacy Food Security, Legacy Specialty Hospitals, and Legacy Housing for the poor,” he added.