The Bicameral Conference Committee on Monday, Dec. 11 approved and adopted the final version of the proposed PHP 5.768-trillion 2024 General Appropriations Act, which excluded confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for non-security agencies.
Earlier, Angara said the proposed budget aligns with the broad goals of the Marcos administration towards transforming the Philippines into a more prosperous nation.
The senator also noted that the committee increased the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard by PHP 2 billion, giving more importance to the country’s defense and national security.
"'Yan ang standing order ni Senate President (Juan Miguel) Zubiri. Tulungan natin 'yung ating defense forces," Angara said.
"I think in light of world events, yung di ba may gera sa Europa, may gera sa Middle East. Hindi naman sa gusto nating magka-gera dito pero gusto natin na handa tayo," he added.
Angara added that the provision prohibiting the use of contingent funds for CIF was adopted by the House of Representatives.
"It's a budget for growth, to sustain our growth," he said.
The programs with the highest additional allocated funds in the bicam version of the 2024 budget are for the education infrastructure and health sectors, he added.
The final version will be sent to Malacañang for the President's review and approval.
Earlier, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may be signing the P5.7 trillion budget for 2024 by mid-December, before his international travel to Japan from December 16 to 18.
