House, Senate ratify 2021 national budget
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:30 p.m.) — Both chambers of Congress on Wednesday approved the final version of the Duterte administration's penultimate budget worth P4.5 trillion.
In a tweet Wednesday night, the House announced that it has ratified the bicameral committee report on the 2021 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
A few hours later, the Senate also ratified the bicameral version of the proposed 2021 national budget.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the approval of the 2021 national budget "reflects the serious commitment of the Duterte government to defeat COVID-19 and bring the economy back on track."
"When we keep our commitments to our fellow Filipinos and continue to put their interests first, we will surely overcome the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic," Velasco said.
The final version of the budget bill includes P20 billion allocation for COVID-19 vaccines, P2 billion for the purchase of personal protective equipment and P462 million for the Medical Health Assistance Program and P100 million for the mental health program under the Department of Health.
The top 10 recipients of the 2021 budget are the following:
- Education (DepEd, SUCs, CHED, TESDA) - P708.2 billion
- DPWH - P694.8 billion
- Health (DOH, PhilHealth, Vaccines) - P287.5 billion
- DILG - P247.5 billion
- DND - P205.5 billion
- DSWD - P176.7 billion
- DOTr - P87.4 billion
- DA - P68.6 billion
- Judiciary - P44.1 billion
- DOLE - P36.3 billion
As of writing, the Senate is still deliberating on the final version of the 2021 budget.
Once approved by both chambers of Congress, the bill can be forwarded to the president for final approval.
According to Velasco, the enrolled copy of the 2021 GAB will be sent next week to Malacañang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with report from Xave Gregorio
The Duterte administration is set to submit its penultimate budget proposal for Congress's consideration on Tuesday, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado says.
"We've arranged the submission today after lunch," Avisado says in a text message.
The proposed budget will be worth P4.506 trillion, 9.9% higher than this year's P4.1-trillion outlay. The government says the outlay would prioritize ongoing response to the pandemic. — Prinz Magtulis
President Rodrigo Duterte will sign his administration's penultimate budget on December 28, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says.
A few weeks ago, both chambers of Congress ratified the 2021 national budget worth P4.5 trillion.
The House of Representatives approves on final reading the extension of validity of Bayanihan 2 until June 30, 2021.
Executive agencies with projects and campaigns under the Bayanihan II law must make sure all programs have been implemented before the legislation lapses on December 19, Sen. Bong Go says in a news release.
The statement came after the Department of Budget and Management said that the law, signed September 11, still has unreleased appropriations.
Bayanihan II, meant to provide resources to assist Filipinos affected by the pandemic, covers a cash-for-work program, economic relief to enterprises and aid the healthcare system. The 2020 General Appropriations Act will similarly lapse within the month.
"Agencies should work overtime to fund and implement provisions in these laws," Go says.
The House of Representatives ratifies the proposed P4.506 trillion national budget for 2021.
Deliberations on the 2021 national budget are still ongoing at the Senate as of writing time.
Once approved by both chambers of Congress, the proposed budget can be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
The House ratifies the bicameral conference committee report on the 2021 General Appropriations Bill. pic.twitter.com/vrMdPAWYAy
— House of Representatives of the Philippines (@HouseofRepsPH) December 9, 2020
The bicameral committee on the 2021 budget panel reconvenes today led by Rep. Eric Yap (ACT-CIS partylist) of the House appropriations panel and Sen. Sonny Angara of the Senate's finance panel.
The joint panels are aiming to ratify the P4.5-trillion budget in the afternoon. — Image from the Office of Sen. Angara
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