Zubiri sees quick deliberations on proposed 2023 nat’l budget in Senate

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he sees a quick deliberation on the 2023 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) in the Senate as the proposed P5.268 trillion has a "very minimal" increase from the current fiscal year's P5.024 trillion appropriations.

"Mukhang hindi naman po tayo tatagal, itong deliberations na ito. Hindi po tatagal pa dahil hindi naman gano’n kalaki ang increase ng budget," Zubiri said in an interview with reporters.

"Actually, very minimal almost the same amount as [this] year's budget. We're looking at only 4 percent increase. Bubusisiin lang natin yung iba't-ibang programa ng gobyerno dito sa ating National Expenditures Program but there won't be too many changes," he added.

(It seems like the deliberations will not take so much time in the Senate because there was just a slight increase in the proposed national budget. Actually, the increase is very minimal and next year's budget is almost the same amount as this year's budget. We're looking at only four percent increase. We will just scrutinize the different programs of the government in our NEP but there won't be too many changes.)

Zubiri said they expect to deliberate on the national budget in November but they will still hold briefings ahead of the official submission of the House of the Representatives of the proposed 2023 GAB to the Senate.

"They are looking at finishing the budget by end of September. Dahil mag break po tayo ng first week of October and then ibibigay na po nila sa atin of course 'yung GAB and then we will tackle it here when we get back on first week of November," he said.

Last Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman submitted to the House of Representatives the proposed P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House is eyeing to approve the proposed P5.268 trillion budget for 2023 on third and final reading on or before October 1.

Senate Finance Committee chairperson Sonny Angara said they are eying the start of the budget briefings on September 12.

Under Article VI, Section 24 of the 1987 Constitution, all appropriation measures shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

Based on the Department of Budget and Management's proposed budget for next year, there are double-digit increases in the Philippines’ allocation on education, infrastructure, health, social protection, and agriculture.

According to Pangandaman, the proposed P5.268-trillion budget is crafted to withstand future risks, challenges, and shocks, with a 4.9% increase from the previous year. — RSJ, GMA News