Senate panel approves DTI, BCDA budgets for 2023

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate finance subcommittee gave its nod on the P19.99 billion 2023 budget of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the P3.1 billion budget of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

Villar, the chairperson of the Senate committee on trade and the finance sub-panel, vowed to ensure that the DTI and its attached agencies’ budget “are sufficient to implement their priority programs effectively.”

“It is my hope that the DTI and its attached agencies will achieve its goals and programs as we begin this new administration,” the senator said.

Meanwhile, during the deliberations on the BCDA’s budget, Villar noted that the agency is close to his heart as it was the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) partner in the Build, Build, Build Program.

Villar was the DPWH chief during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who launched the Build, Build, Build Program.

“It’s a pleasure to be here to be the one to support you in your budget,” the neophyte senator said.

In another finance subcommittee hearing, presided over by Senator JV Ejercito, the P46.2-million 2023 budget of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority was likewise approved.

JMS