House ratifies 2024 national budget as session days wind down
At A Glance
- With just two more session days to spare before holiday recess, the House of Representatives ratified on Monday night, Dec. 11 the harmonized version of the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.
House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
With just two more session days to spare before holiday recess, the House of Representatives ratified on Monday night, Dec. 11 the harmonized version of the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.
The proposed spending plan--the largest in the country’s history--is embodied in the "Bicameral Conference Committee report on the disagreeing votes on House Bill (HB) No.8980, the fiscal year 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB)".
Deputy Speaker Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto, the presiding officer in plenary at that time, declared the GAB as ratified following a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).
The Senate--the other legislative chamber in the bicameral Congress--made their own ratification of the GAB Monday afternoon.
That same morning, the bicam committee on the 2024 GAB, which is composed of select House members and senators, reached an agreement on the nitty-gritty of the measure and approved it during its second meeting at EDSA Shangri-la, Makati City.
The first meeting was held last week. Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co led the House contingent, while Senator Sonny Angara led the Senate contingent.
The bicam approval, coupled with the separate ratification of the chambers, paves the way for President Marcos' possible signing of the GAB in the coming days.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House, had earlier said that Congress' (House and Senate) target was to have the budget measure signed before Christmas.
The final session date of the year is Dec. 13. After that, Congress will go on a lengthy, five-week recess.
The passage of the budget of any given year is considered the most important--and arduous--task of lawmakers.