House to stream budget hearings on Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Ordinary citizens will be able to make their views known as the House of Representatives deliberates on the proposed P4.506-trillion budget for 2021 live on social media and other platforms, in line with efforts to boost public participation.

In a statement, House Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymond Villafuerte said that since the focus of the 2021 national budget would be the government’s response to the pandemic and recovery measures, people should be able to participate actively and openly air their concerns to lawmakers.

He added that while the House leadership had yet to finalize the mechanics and protocols for public participation in the budget hearings, people could leave their comments on its official Facebook page during the livestream broadcast of the hearings to be held from Sept. 4 to Sept. 18. — (Melvin Gascon)