Romualdez: 2024 budget enactment ensures continuity of programs on agri, health

House Speaker Martin Romualdez during the Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Japan on December 17, 2023. Photos by Yummie Dingding/ PPA POOL

MANILA, Philippines — The enactment of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) may be a simple event, but such ensures that the administration’s key program in the realm of agriculture, health, education, social aid, and economic growth would continue according to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez in a statement on Wednesday, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the P5.768 trillion GAA, said the timely enactment of the budget guarantees an uninterrupted delivery of essential programs and services.

READ: Bongbong Marcos signs P5.768-trillion 2024 nat’l budget 

While the House and the Senate ratified the proposed budget last December 11, the President has the choice of reviewing the proposed budget further. However, taking too long — or signing the budget bill after 2023 ends — would mean having a reenacted budget, which may delay some government programs.

“President Marcos, through his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to the Filipino people, has delivered a clear message of stability and progress,” Romualdez said.

“With the 2024 budget firmly in place, we can now proceed with confidence, knowing that crucial investments in vital areas like agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure will continue unabated,” he added.

Aside from that, Romualdez also noted that the budget is a collective will of all the lawmakers, as every solon had an input on the budget.

“This budget is a testament to the collective will of our lawmakers, who put the welfare of our nation above personal or political interests,” he claimed.

“Under President Marcos’ leadership, and with the continued support of our people, we are confident that this budget will pave the way for a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines,” he added.

Romualdez assured the public that the proposed 2024 national budget has at least P500 billion allocated for social aid, targeting over 12 million families — including a new program called Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita or AKAP.

Under AKAP, workers earning less than P23,000 per month can get a one-time cash assistance of P5,000.

READ: Workers earning no more than P23,000 monthly to get P5,000 aid – House 

Aside from these, Romualdez said that existing government programs benefiting poor families like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) under the Department of Labor and Employment would continue to get funding.

AICS would get around P23 billion, while P30 billion has been allocated for TUPAD.

Meanwhile, the administration’s three legacy projects — Legacy Food Security, Legacy Specialty Hospitals, and Legacy Housing for the Poor — would also get sufficient funding.