Quisumbing hopeful 2012 budget will pass 2nd hearing

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Sixth District Rep. Gabriel “Luis” Quisumbing is hopeful that the second reading of the national budget for 2012 will be finished by September 16 so that the budget would have been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives before Congress adjourns on October 15.

Quisumbing who sits as member of the House Committee on Appropriations said that once the budget is approved during the second reading next week, the seem will then be submitted to the plenary for the third hearing. It was House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. who appointed Quisumbing as his representative to the committee.

As proceedings for the national budget rolls, the Senate has started on the budget briefings of each agency.

“We really applaud the efforts of the present administration and we want to show our support by working overtime in having an enacted budget well before this year ends,” Quisumbing said.

House Bill 5023 or the 2012 General Appropriations Bill is sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chairman and Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya. He proposed a budget of P1.816 trillion for next year. — (FREEMAN)