Zubiri expects speedy Senate deliberations on 2023 budget

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri presides over the CA hybrid plenary session on August 23, 2022 in this file photo. Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he expects a speedy deliberation on the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023.

He said that the proposed 2023 budget only has a “very minimal” increase from the current fiscal year’s P5.024 trillion appropriations.

“Mukhang hindi naman tayo tatagal, itong deliberations na ito. Hindi tatagal pa dahil hindi naman ganoon kalaki ang increase ng budget,” Zubiri told reporters in an interview.

(I don’t think we will have lengthy deliberations on this proposed budget because the increase is minimal.)

“Actually, very minimal almost the same amount as last year’s budget. We’re looking at only 4 percent increase. Bubusisiin lang natin ‘yung iba’t ibang programa ng gobyerno dito sa ating National Expenditure Program but there won’t be too many changes,” he added.

(Actually, the increase is very minimal, almost the same as last year’s budget. Therefore, we will only scrutinize the different programs of the government in the National Expenditure Program, but there won’t be too many changes.)

The Senate President said the Senate expects to deliberate on the national budget by November. However, senators will still hold briefings ahead of the official submission of the House of Representatives of the 2023 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to the Senate.

“They are looking at finishing the budget by the end of September. Dahil mag break tayo ng first week of October and then ibibigay na nila sa atin of course ‘yung GAB and then we will tackle it here when we get back on the first week of November,” he said.

(Since we will go on a break in the first week of October, then they will give it to us then we will tackle it here when we get back in the first week of November.)

The Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed P5.2-trillion 2023 national budget to the House of Representatives last Monday.

READ: House formally receives proposed 2023 budget from DBM

JPV