PORMAL nang sinimulan ng bicameral conference committee (BICAM) ang proseso sa pag-reconcile ng magkakaibang probisyon sa ipinasa ng Senado at Kamara na kani-kanilang bersiyon ng P5.268 trillion na panukalang badyet para sa susunod na taon ng Marcos administration.
Sina Senador Sonny Angara, chairman ng Senate Committee on Finance at Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, na siya namang head ng House Committee on Appropriations, ang mga nanguna sa opening ng Bicam panel meeting na isinagawa sa Manila Golf Club, Makati City kahapon ng umaga.
Sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi ni Co na pagsumite ni Pangulong Marcos ng naturang 2023 proposed national budget noong nakaraang Agosto 22, ay agad itong inaksyunan ng House of Representatives (HRep) at matapos ang ilang linggo na tuluy-tuloy na deliberasyon ay inaprubahan ng mga kongresista sa third and final reading nitong Setyembre 28.
“Our effort is to act expediently on this matter, anchored with our overall objective of supporting the budget under the Agenda of Prosperity: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability of this Administration,” pahayag pa ng Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker.
“The General Appropriations Bill is consistent with the action plan of this Administration in addressing the rising inflation driven by internal and external factors, socioeconomic scarring, and low income. We are still on the path of recovery from the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Admittedly, this pandemic transformed each of us in the way we think and create solutions to existing economic problems. The policy choices that we will make in this budget will determine the success of our effort to transition from the impact of this pandemic.” Dagdag ni Co.
Sa hiwalay na kalatas, tiniyak naman ni Speaker Martin G. Romualdez kay President Marcos at maging sa sambayanang Pilipino na bago matapos ang taong kasalukuyan, ang bansa ay magkakaroon ng “Agenda for Prosperity national budget”.
“We have sufficient time, we will finally approve the budget before yearend. It is the most important tool in accomplishing the objectives of the President’s Agenda for Prosperity and his eight-point socio-economic development plan,” pagbibigay-diin pa ng House Speaker.
“With this budget, which is the first full-year spending measure proposed by the President, we hope to sustain or even accelerate our economic growth, which should benefit all of our people.” Dugtong ni Romualdez.
ROMER R. BUTUYAN