Malacanang on Thursday said it welcomes the decision of Congress to ratify the proposed P5.024 trillion national budget for 2022, saying the move is vital to the government’s COVID-19 response.
“As we await its transmittal to the Office of the President, we reiterate our commitment to utilize our people’s hard-earned money to properly implement programs, projects, and services effectively and efficiently during the remainder of the President’s term of office,” acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.
He said the speedy ratification is of the 2022 national budget is vital to the country’s response and recovery efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The P5.024 trillion proposed budget for 2022 is the administration’s last full-year budget since President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends on June 30, 2022.
The House of Representatives has ended its 2021 legislative session on a positive and hopeful note Wednesday with the ratification of the national budget.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the budget ratification capped the chamber’s months-long effort to craft policies needed to shepherd the country towards recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
He said the spending plan provided Congress the “single greatest opportunity” to shape the country’s priorities for next year as COVID-19 drags on.
The House adjourned its session to go on a one-month legislative break for the holidays. Regular sessions will resume on January 17, 2022.
As of last Tuesday, the House approved 133 Republic Acts and expected more measures will be signed into law by the President before the year ends, including the proposed 2022 General Appropriations Act. The chamber also approved 930 measures on third reading and adopted 266 resolutions.
The ratification of the proposed 2022 national budget is the most vital accomplishment of senators in 2021, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said.
The national budget, Sotto said, will also pump up infrastructure projects necessary to speed up economic recovery.
He said the senators have likewise acted on measures seeking to provide much-needed incentives and assistance to the country’s healthcare workers and pandemic frontliners, and to the labor and trade sectors which were among the worst hit by the lockdowns that were imposed to control the spread of the deadly virus.
“On behalf of the Senate, I am humbled to deliver before you my last Christmas message as Senate President. I wish that love and compassion be the guiding force for Filipinos of all faiths in this season of hope and joy. Merry Christmas to all people under God’s inclusive sky!” he said. With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta