House plenary debates on proposed P5.024 trillion 2022 nat’l budget kicks off

SPEAKER LORD ALLAN VELASCO. Photo from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives began Tuesday plenary debates on the proposed P5.024 trillion national budget for 2022.

The first day of the plenary debates focuses on the general principles and provisions of House Bill No.10153 as well as the allocations for the Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco earlier assured the public that the lower chamber would intently and carefully check the proposed 2022 national budget, particularly because it contains the government’s COVID-19 response roadmap.

“We, in the House of Representatives, are all set to carry out our constitutional duty of carefully scrutinizing the P5.024-trillion national budget, which includes an allocation of at least P240.75 billion for COVID-19 response,” Velasco said.

“As the coronavirus pandemic drags on and with no end in sight, it is incumbent upon Congress to swiftly pass a national budget that will not only serve as an instrument for development but also as a powerful tool to decisively defeat COVID-19 and rebuild people’s lives and livelihoods,” he added.

The Department of Budget and Management said a large portion of the national budget next year would be allocated to social services, amounting to P1.922 trillion or 38.3 percent, while economic services would get P1.474 trillion.

KGA