Lawmakers grill department heads on proposed P5.7 trillion 2024 budget
Department of Budget and Management Sec. Amenah Pangandaman turns over a copy of the proposed P5.768 trillion 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez Wednesday morning at the Romualdez Hall of the House of Representatives. With them are (from left) DBM Asec. Mary Anne Dela Vega, Usec. Janet Abuel, Dr. Joselito Basilio, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Committee on Appropriations Chairman Rep. Zaldy Co, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, and House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo. (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The P5.7 trillion proposed budget for 2024 will undergo a meticulous examination from House Committee on Appropriations, panel chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy Co said on Thursday.
In a statement, Co said it his committee’s job to objectively check the proposed budget within the five-week deadline set by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“We are entrusted with the power of the purse, and it is our duty to ensure that every taxpayer’s contribution is utilized wisely and effectively,” Co said.
“By maintaining accuracy, objectivity, and transparency throughout this process, we can guarantee that the P5.768 trillion budget will be put to the best possible use for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he added.
Budget deliberations started on Thursday.
Officials from agencies within the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) answered questions from lawmakers about the recommended allocations.
During the hearing, lawmakers like ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro asked about salary increases for teachers and government workers.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman responded, saying a study will be conducted to determine if there is a need for a salary hike.
This research will be completed by October, she told the legislator.
For this part, Quezon 2nd District Representative Jay-jay Suarez questioned the slow pace of project implementations.
Pangandaman answered, saying DBM had asked government agencies to submit a catch-up plan no later than September 15.
Meanwhile, Kabataan party-list Representive Raoul Manuel and Nueva Ecija 3rd District Representative Ria Vergara proposed a tax on rich policy to generate more revenues.
On the other hand, Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman expressed his apprehension over the supposed intention of the executive branch to bankroll the Maharlika Investment Fund.
He explained almost 33 percent of the budget would already be allocated to debt payment, while 5.1 percent of the proposal will not be funded by government revenues.
Kabataan party-list Representaive Raoul Manuel and Nueva Ecija 3rd District Representative Ria Vergara revived proposals to tax billionaires and items purchased almost exclusively by the rich.
They believe this will bring more income to government.
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