House OKs extending validity of 2020 budget until Dec. 2021

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MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representative on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill extending the validity of the 2020 national budget until December next year.

Voting 221-6-0, House lawmakers passed House Bill No. 6656, which amends Republic Act No. 11465 or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2020.

Under the measure, appropriations from the 2020 national budget shall be available for release and disbursement until December 31, 2021.

The 2020 budget was supposed to expire by the end of this year.

The lower chamber approved the said measure moments before President Rodrigo Duterte certified the approval of the bill as urgent.

Duterte also issued a certification on the urgent approval of a bill seeking to extend the validity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which is set to expire on December 19 this year.

JPV