2020 national budget process ‘back on track’ — Ungab

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is “back on track” towards the approval of the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget, House appropriations committee chairman Isidro Ungab assured Tuesday.

This was after issues on the 2020 budget bill, the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), arose during the weekend after House Deputy Speaker for Finance Luis Ray Villafuerte revealed that he withdrew the GAB from the House plenary last Aug. 28, saying it was “prematurely filed.”

“Importante natapos na ‘yung problema and we are back on track. Since we are back on track we will do our best to deliver, finish on time because we committed,” Ungab told reporters in an interview.

Ungab said House leaders agreed to return the GAB to the appropriations committee after it was moved to the rules committee.

“I think the plan is tonight ibalik na sa appropriations committee,” he said.

The committee is also aiming to finish department budget hearings by Friday (Sept. 6) so that it would be able to start preparing a report by next week and proceed with the plenary hearings.

The Davao City 3rd District representative earlier said the printing of the GAB was halted due to the issue; however, there was already a notice to proceed with the printing.

“Hopefully by today matapos na ‘yung printing, and by tonight ma-deliver na dito sa House. Target namin Wednesday or Thursday ma-distribute na ‘yung mga copies ng GAB sa House members,” he said.

He also added that no changes were made on the GAB, which is just “almost a photocopy” of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) from the Executive department. /je

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