House transmits budget bill to Senate

SPEAKER LORD ALLAN VELASCO. Photo from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the House of Representatives was looking forward to bicameral conference on the 2022 General Appropriations Bill after it transmitted House Bill No. 10153 to the Senate.

House appropriations panel chair and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap says 35 printed copies of budget bill transmitted to Senate on Monday, two days ahead of the Oct. 27 target.

But the House leaders remained silent on how they arrived at amendments, amounting to P 65 billion, that realigned funds for COVID-19 medical response, special risk allowances for healthcare workers, and assistance to affected sectors.

—JULES M. AURELIO