The House of Representatives has formally submitted the proposed 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or the national budget to the Senate on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The transmission of House Bill No. 8980, which contains the ₱5.768 trillion national budget for fiscal year 2024, was led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In an X, formerly Twitter post, House Appropriations Chair Elizaldy Co said House Bill No. 8980 includes the ₱194.5 billion realigned funds.
Of the ₱194.5 billion realigned funds, ₱1.23 billion are confidential and intelligence funds that the House small committee earlier stripped off from five government agencies.
According to Co, the ₱194.5-billion funds were realigned "to strengthen our national security, to fight inflation, and to ensure food security for our people."
“Consistent rin ito sa mga legacy projects na tina-target ng administrasyon ni President Bongbong Marcos, kasama na ang Legacy Specialty Hospitals, Legacy Housing for the Poor, at Legacy on Food Self-sufficiency,” he added.
Right on schedule! Naipadala na natin sa Senado ang House version ng 2024 General Appropriations Bill.
— Zaldy Co (@zaldyco_) November 4, 2023
This budget includes the ₱194.5-billion funds realigned to strengthen our national security, to fight inflation, and to ensure food security for our people. Consistent rin… pic.twitter.com/7fdX6lSE3K
The House Appropriations Chair said the transmission was just “right on schedule.”
The Senate will begin its deliberation on the GAB on Monday, Nov. 6, the resumption of its session after a five-week long break.
