Sotto signs 2022 nat’l budget, now up for Duterte approval

Senate submits its version of the 2022 national budget. Photo from: Sotto’s office

MANILA, Philippines — The two chambers of Congress are set to transmit to Malacañang the final ratified version of  the 2022 national budget, which now only needs President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature for approval.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III signed the budget on Thursday, or a few days earlier than scheduled on December 28.

“Sending it to PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte),” Sotto told reporters in a text message following the signing of the national budget.

Among the allocations in the 2022 national budget is a P188.3 billion funding for the Department of Health and over P700 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Congress also provided P5 billion for the government’s social amelioration program for next year.

Over P25 billion was allocated for the social pension of senior citizens while P39.865 billion was allotted for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Senate committee on finance chairman Sonny Angara said that one of the reasons for the fast tracking of the approval of the budget is the recent Typhoon Odette that ravaged several parts of the country.

EDV