The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is eyeing to adjust the proposed national budget for 2023 for the rehabilitation of areas recently damaged by Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae).
This was announced by Speaker Martin Romualdez in a statement on Sunday after calling for an assessment of the damage caused by Paeng in several parts of the country.
“I have requested my fellow members of the House of Representatives to help the executive departments and agencies assess the damage caused by the STS Paeng and assist in relief operations in their respective districts,” Romualdez said.
He added that he has already requested the House Appropriations Committee to create a compilation of the damage assessed by House members and executive offices “so that they may aid us in reviewing possible adjustments in budget allocation for repair and rehabilitation of affected areas under the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act.”
The House of Representatives has recently passed the proposed budget for next year on third and final reading.
The Senate is now already set to tackle it shortly after Congress resumes its session on Nov. 7 before going to the bicameral conference committee.
Meanwhile, Romualdez said he and House members are currently focused “in relief operations to alleviate the suffering of our fellowmen and to deliver aid as soon as possible to those in need.”
“The House of Representatives will also use its power over the purse to see to it that rehabilitation of affected communities will proceed unhampered as soon as the relief stage is completed,” Romualdez said
Romualdez also expressed support over the recommendation made by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a national state of calamity after Paeng whipped many parts of the country.
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