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Specialty hospitals operated by the Department of Health (DOH) all received higher budgets for 2023 so they can serve more patients, particularly those who cannot afford the cost of treatment, Senator Sonny Angara said on Friday, February 3.

Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday, February 1 reiterated the need for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to include mental and behavioral disorders in its primary care benefit packagesto ease the financial burden of those seeking professional help.

Senator Grace Poe favors the sale of non-performing or problematic government assets to fund the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

Several senators on Monday, January 30 said they are amenable to the government’s move to grant Value-Added Tax (VAT) refunds to foreign tourists but stressed the need for public consultations on the matter.

Senator Sonny Angara on Friday, January 27 assured that funding for higher social pension for indigent senior citizens is ensured under the P5.268-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2023.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Thursday, January 26 welcomed the news of the Philippines’ latest gross domestic product (GDP) growth calling it as a “remarkable success” and credited the efforts of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration for such feat.

The Senate has adopted a resolution commending the awardees of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) for the year 2022.

Senator Sonny Angara on Monday, January 9 pushed for the passage of a bill that seeks to introduce reforms and strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Senator Sonny Angara on Tuesday, January 3 said he hopes the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will prioritize the modernization of the country’s airports following the New Year’s Day airspace shutdown fiasco at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2023 worth P5.268-trillion ensures that there would be sufficient financial aid for the sectors who were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Sonny Angara said on Friday, December 16.

Senate Committee on Finance Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday, December 7 said he is optimistic that the proposed P5.268-trillion budget of the government for next year would revitalize the country’s economy after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Finance Committee chairman Senator Sonny Angara on Tuesday, December 6 allayed fears that the confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) granted to a number of government agencies and offices would be examined closely by Congress and the Commission on Audit (COA).

The Marcos administration’s first national expenditure program underwent thorough scrutiny and was subject to intense debates by lawmakers before it was ratified.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday night, December 5, expressed her frustration at the way Congress failed to demonstrate its “power of the purse” with the full restoration of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) that have been slashed during the budget deliberations at the Senate.

Senator Sonny Angara on Monday, November 28 said the Senate will work for the continued grant of financial assistance or “ayuda” to support the sectors that really need it and are still feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senators are in agreement that the country’s health workers deserve to receive a higher salary and be paid their benefits for their role in the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

Voting 21-0-0, the Senate has approved its version of the P5.268-trillion national budget—the first of the Marcos administration’s appropriations measure—on third and final reading.

Senators on Tuesday, November 22 called for an increase in the disability pension of disabled veterans which has remained stagnant for almost three decades already.