MANILA, Philippines — As it should be, President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021 before the New Year.
This was disclosed Friday by Duterte’s long-time ally, Senator Bong Go, who claimed the President is himself in a hurry to pass next year’s spending plan.
The 2021 national budget is expected to provide more funds for the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response as well as for efforts to bounce back from the harsh economic impact of the public health crisis.
READ: Proposed 2021 national budget now only needs Duterte signature
“Isa rin po ang ating Pangulo sa nagmamadali na maipasa po itong budget on time, so I’m sure bago po humantong ang New Year, na napasa na po ng both leadership ng Congress ‘yong batas para for signature of the President,” the senator told reporters in Marikina.
(The President himself has been hurrying to pass the budget on time, so I’m sure before the New Year arrives this would be enacted since the leaderships of both chambers of Congress have transmitted the bill for the signature of the President.)
“Ire-review po ito and I’m sure na definitely mapipirmahan na po ito ng Pangulo bago po tumuntong ‘yong January 1,” he added.
(It would be reviewed but I’m sure it would be signed by the President before we reach January 1.)
According to Go, the 2021 national budget includes allocations for the procurement of medicines and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the latest variant of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
“Dahil mismo po ang ating Pangulo ang nagmamadali na magkaroon tayo ng budget nang January 1, budget para labanan ang COVID-19, tulong sa tao, pambili po ng kagamitan, medical equipment, vaccine,” he explained.
(Because our President himself is in a hurry to hav the budget before January 1, so we can fight the COVID-19 pandemic, help the people, buy things, medical equipment, and the vaccine.)
“So siya mismo po ay very much concerned na mapasa po ‘yong budget at mapirmahan na po niya, by January 1 meron na po tayong working budget,” he added.
(So he himself is very concerned that the budget is signed, so that by January 1 we would have a working budget.)
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