FILE PHOTO: Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has asked lawmakers to actively participate in the proposed 2024 national budget deliberations, while listening and respecting the Minority’s concerns.
Romualdez in his opening statement on Thursday, at the start of the House Committee on appropriations’ deliberation of the P5.768 trillion proposed budget, also hoped that the Majority and the Minority could eventually agree on a budget that would be beneficial to the people.
“Today marks the start of the deliberations on the proposed 2024 national budget, and we are honored to hear our guests explain the parameters used in coming up with a P5.768 trillion national budget. We will hear from these experts the macroeconomic and growth assumptions, government’s fiscal and revenue collection performance, and expenditure priorities,” Romualdez said.
“I call upon the members of this august body to actively participate in the budget deliberation, listen and respect everyone’s view, particularly the concerns of our colleagues from the minority, and reach a consensus that is beneficial to the country, especially the poor and marginalized among our people,” he added.
On the first day of the budget deliberations, agencies within the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) — the Department of Budget and Management, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) — faced lawmakers.
Discussions started as early as 10 a.m., ending at 8:25 p.m. with lawmakers and resource persons only taking a one-hour break for lunch. During the hearing, several minority lawmakers got the chance to press resource persons about different issues.
While the DBCC presented economic data showing that the country is moving closer to its preferred targets, agencies were questioned about the lack of salary increase provisions for teachers and government workers, the supposed prioritization of the Maharlika Investment Fund despite huge debt, and the slow pace of projects for 2023.
READ: High debt service, fiscal deficit? Why back Maharlika fund, asks Lagman
Romualdez assured the public that the House would not stop working until the proposed budget is approved, adding that they will have their version of the general appropriations bill ready in five weeks — or before Congress goes on a break by October.
“Sisiguruhin natin na maipapasa natin ang 2024 general appropriations bill sa loob ng limang lingo lamang. Apat na linggo sa mga komite, at isang linggo sa plenaryo,” Romualdez said.
(We will ensure the passage of the 2024 general appropriations bill within five weeks — four weeks in the committee, and one week in the plenary.)
“I am confident that the House of Representatives will be able to deliberate and pass the national budget on time and transmit the same to the Senate. I can assure everyone that the House of Representatives will not take a break until and unless we have passed this very important legislation,” he added.
READ: House begins hearings on proposed P5.7 trillion national budget for 2024