House panel OKs extension of 2021 budget validity until December 2022

Batasang Pambansa. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on appropriations approved Wednesday a bill seeking to extend the validity of the 2021 national budget until December 31 this year.

During its online meeting, the committee approved House Bill No. 10373, which seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 11518 or the General Appropriations Act 2021 by extending the availability of this year’s budget until December 31, 2022.

“This is to allow the agencies to fully utilize the allocated budget for 2021 to implement government programs and projects and to ensure that the intended beneficiaries of these basic services are reached,” appropriations committee chair Eric Yap, who authored the measure, said in the bill’s explanatory note.

According to Yap, the coronavirus pandemic brought disruptions, leading many programs, projects, and activities funded under the 201 budget to be delayed.

Currently, this year’s budget is set to expire on December 31, 2021.

The measure will now be transmitted to the House plenary for further debates.