House plenary debates on budget start Tuesday

Zamboanga City Second District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe. (Photo from his Facebook account).

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers are set to review and scrutinize the proposed P5.268 trillion budget for transparency as the House begins its plenary debates on the 2023 General Appropriations Bill on Tuesday.

House majority leader Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe gave this assurance after the House appropriations committee concluded briefings on the National Expenditure Program (NEP) on Friday.

According to the proposed schedule for the sponsorship and floor deliberations for the budget bill, plenary deliberations will begin on Sept. 20.

“The House leadership is confident that the NEP will be adequately reviewed and scrutinized to ensure that the best interest of our people is protected. We will not allow any manipulation by any syndicate or by any group to favor certain groups or individuals,” Dalipe said on Saturday.

He added that the lower chamber, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, would ensure the “judicious but swift approval” of next year’s national spending plan.

“We will scrutinize the budget and ensure the judicious allocation and use of our national budget,” Dalipe said.

The House appropriations panel chaired by Rep. Elizaldy Co will submit the proposed budget bill to the plenary, which will deliberate the measure until Sept. 28.

After this, lawmakers will be allowed to propose individual or committee amendments to the 2023 national budget.

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