The Congress ratified on Monday, December 11 the final version of the proposed PHP 5.768-trillion 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
This comes after the Bicameral Conference Committee approved the conflicting provisions in the proposed 2024 national budget, which excluded confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for non-security agencies.
Following this, the government's spending plan bill will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature.
Sen. Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Committee on Finance and head of the Senate panel in the Bicam, announced that they have increased the budget of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in light of the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Other highlights of the 2024 GAB are:
Support for efforts to enhance self-reliance in agriculture, not only to raise the income of Filipino farmers and fisherfolks but also to ensure food security;
Education remains a top priority in the expenditure plan for 2024;
Additional funds for the health sector through augmentations for the Department of Health budget items such as the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients o MAIFIP program, and the Health Facilities Enhancement Program o HFEP;
Continued assistance to indigent individuals through different kinds of "ayudas" such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Cash-for-Work under KALAHI-CIDSS, Supplementary Feeding Program, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program;
More funds for the government's housing program;
Significant funds for infrastructure, for greater mobility through roads, bridges, railways, and seaports;
Budget to cover efforts to protect the environment and respond to climate change;
Budget for the transition to renewable energy sources;
More budget to attract investors and to strengthen SMEs;
Innovation, science and technology, and research and development shall also remain key pillars of the government's efforts, and hence priorities in expenditure plans with augmentations to the budgets of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), and many others; and,
The 2024 budget will also support the government's efforts to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination and preserve our culture and heritage, among others.
