PRESIDENT FERDINAND “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged Congress to waste no time in passing the proposed PHP5.268-trillion national budget for 2023, citing its importance in helping the nation attain economic transformation, growth and sustainability.
“The formula for prosperity is simple: Increase productivity with the overriding commitment to leave no Filipino behind, including Filipinos of the next generation. Let us not waste more time in turning this dream into a reality,” he told Congress in his budget message.
Marcos said the timely passage of the proposed budget will ensure that the country’s agenda for prosperity will be realized.
“This is our moment. Let the economic transformation towards inclusive and sustainable growth begin. With your approval of the proposed 2023 national budget, certainly our agenda for prosperity can be achieved,” he added.
He acknowledged continuing uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and unpredictable international conflicts.
He, however, said he was undaunted because of his faith in both the government’s economic managers and the Filipino people.
“I have faith in the economic leadership that is at the helm of our ship to navigate us through these storms,” he said.
“Most of all, I have faith in the Filipino people. I know that the strength of the Filipino is beyond resilience. We will emerge from these crises stronger and better. We will see the Philippines as the land of prosperity that it was destined to be,” he added.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) submitted the proposed PHP5.268-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2023 to Congress on Monday morning.
The education sector, which is made up of the Department of Education, State Universities and Colleges, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, received the largest chunk as mandated by the Constitution with PHP852.8 billion.
It is followed by the public works sector (PHP718.4 billion) and the health sector, which includes the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHP296.3 billion).
In a press briefing, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the proposed 2023 national budget is higher than this year’s PHP5.024 trillion budget by PHP244 billion or 4.9 percent. It is the highest ever spending proposal of the government.
House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House appropriations committee will begin hearings on the NEP on Aug. 26.
He said the House is targeting to finish committee and plenary deliberations on the budget proposal before Oct. 1, when Congress is scheduled to go on its first recess that will last up to Nov. 6.
Pangandaman said the DBM will coordinate closely with the House appropriations committee during the hearings and deliberations to ensure a transparent process of the passage of the General Appropriations Bill.
She said the DBM is expecting the spending bill to be forwarded to Malacañang for signing by the first or second week of December. (Azer Parrocha)
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