The final vote was 289-3, with no abstention.
“We thank the members of the House of Representatives, under the dynamic and competent stewardship of Speaker Martin Romualdez, for working triple time in reviewing the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and passing the General Appropriations Bill days before their target date of October 1, 2022,” Department of Budget and Management Secretary Pangandaman said.
The Budget Chief further remarked, “This underscores the high level of statesmanship and commitment of our elected leaders to promote and safeguard the welfare of our people.”
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. earlier certified as urgent the enactment of House Bill No. 4488, or the GAB, to maintain continuous government operations following the end of the current fiscal year, to strengthen efforts to respond more effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support initiatives towards national economic recovery.
Secretary Pangandaman, during the submission of the 2023 NEP to Congress, described the proposed budget for FY 2023, which stands at Php5.268-Trillion, as “proactive and resilient, designed to withstand future risks, challenges and shocks.”
Consistent with the 8-Point Socio-Economic Agenda of the Marcos Administration, the Executive has identified the priority sectors in the 2023 GAB, which include education, infrastructure development, health, agriculture and social safety nets.
“We made sure that the National Expenditure Program is fully aligned with the President's vision, with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and with the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda. Investing heavily on the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, health, human capital development, and social protection will ensure our continued economic growth while taking care of our people,” Sec. Pangandaman said.
Now that the House of Representatives has passed the 2023 GAB, it will now be transmitted to the Senate. (PR-DBM)