Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri (left), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) that was submitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate Saturday, Nov. 4 contained P194.5 billion in realigned funds. 

Thus, bared House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a statement following a special joint session with the Senate at Batasan Complex in Quezon City. 

The amount included the P1.23 billion that was earlier reallocated from the confidential funds of civilization agencies in the proposed national budget next year. 

Worth P5.768 trillion, the 2024 GAB--passed on third and final reading by the House last Sept. 27--is the biggest in the country’s history. 

"The House of Representatives is honored to hand over to the Senate the 2024 [GAB]. This bill, approved by our chamber, encompasses P194.5-billion in realigned funds, meticulously designated to fortify our national security, shield Filipinos from the impacts of global inflation, and guarantee food security," Romualdez said. 

"In these challenging times, where global inflation and surging prices of essential goods test our resilience, the 2024 budget stands as our response to the urgent needs of ordinary Filipinos. We have incorporated significant institutional and individual amendments to offer both immediate respite and enduring solutions to these challenges," he added. 

"The escalating costs of living weigh heavily on our fellow Filipinos, and we, in the House, recognize our mandate to address these concerns swiftly and effectively," noted the Leyte 1st district representative. 

Among the largest items on the list of institutional amendments are P33.282 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals on Crisis Situations (AICS) Program, P30.3 billion for the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP), P25.5 billion for the system/ communal irrigation system, P20 billion for agri-business and marketing services-rice subsidy, P17.5 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Government Internship Program (GIP), and P15 billion for solar dri en pump irrigation projects. 

Romualdez also gave his heartfelt gratitude to his House colleagues for helping accomplish the budget. 

"Your tireless efforts and commitment to transparent budget proceedings have enabled us to approve this appropriations bill in record time once more," he said. 

"Our chamber, the House of the People, has been unwavering in its dedication to timely, transparent budgeting, completely devoid of the blemishes of pork barrel. Every peso has been scrutinized with utmost care, ensuring its alignment with the welfare and dreams of our beloved nation and its people," the House leader further said.