House Appropriations Committee Chairman Elizaldy Co (File photo courtesy of House Press and Public Affairs Bureau)
MANILA – The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has concluded its deliberations on the proposed PHP5.768 trillion budget for 2024.
Committee chair, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, made the announcement on Wednesday as he thanked his colleagues for their exhaustive efforts and diligence in scrutinizing the proposed budget for next year.
Co noted that the budget deliberations have been marked by transparent and rigorous discussions to effectively cover all sectors and address the country’s priorities.
Various government agencies presented their budget proposals, after which the committee members took turns scrutinizing the figures, questioning methodologies, and proposing amendments.
"We have taken significant strides towards finalizing the 2024 budget, which promises to be a landmark budget focused on national growth and the welfare of the Filipino people," Co said. "I want to express my deep gratitude to my esteemed colleagues in the Appropriations Committee and the dedicated congressmen who have worked meticulously in reviewing and suggesting valuable inputs for the budget."
Co also emphasized the importance of timeliness in passing the budget to ensure that government programs and services do not experience any disruption, committing to meet their target of approving the budget on final reading before the month-long congressional break from Sept. 30 to Nov. 5.
"I remain committed to my promise to expedite the passage of the 2024 GAA (General Appropriations Act). It is our moral and civic duty to ensure that the budget is enacted efficiently, but also effectively, so as to better serve our fellow Filipinos," he said.
He explained that the next phase of the budget process involves consolidating all recommendations and amendments before it is brought for deliberation in the plenary.
He assured that his panel is working overtime to move forward in the legislative process.
"The work is far from over, but the completion of these budget briefings marks a critical milestone in our journey towards a more prosperous and equitable Philippines," Co said. (PNA)
