Senate Unanimously Approves P3.35-Trillion Proposed 2017 National Budget

In a vote of 20 without any objection, the Senate approved the 2017 proposed national budget earlier compared to last year.

The Philippine Senate approved for the third and final reading on Monday, November 28, the 2017 proposed national budget amounting to P3.35 trillion.

In a vote of 20 without any objection or abstention, the proposed annual budget was swiftly approved by the Senate.

This is the earliest approval of the proposed national budget in the Senate as compared to the Philippine Congress’ upper house’s action last year.

The Senate Committee on Finance
The Senate Committee on Finance.

The Malacañang Palace earlier certified the budget bill urgent.

Senate committee on finance chairperson Senator Loren Legarda is glad that the proposed budget was approved earlier.

Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is proud of what their chamber has done for push for the reforms that the Duterte administration wants to undertake.

“I am proud to present to the Filipino people a ‘Budget for Change’ that fully supports the aims of President Rodrigo Duterte and the well-being of every Filipino”, said the Senate President.

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) get the biggest slice of the pie for next year.

About P1.420 trillion or 40 percent of the2017 budget is allocated to social services to address the needs of the impoverished Filipinos.

The lower house approved the budget bill on October 18 where at least 243 lawmakers voted to approve the measure by nominal voting. Five congressmen voted against it and one abstained.

The Senate immediately formed a nine-man panel to sit in the bicameral conference with their counterparts at the House of Representatives.

The panels will concurrently discuss their versions of the proposed budget before returning it to their respective chamber for ratification.

Thank you for sparing some of your time reading this article. The author wishes you to keep browsing our website and also our Facebook page.

If you have any comments, please feel free to comment on the box below.

Leave a Comment