[ad_1]
MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives is transmitting to the Senate on Tuesday its approved version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) of 2021 or the proposed national budget of P4.5 trillion for next year.
Spokesman Lord Allan Velasco said the record budget was designed to further strengthen the government’s response and spur economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Not only do we pass the proposed national budget for 2021 in a timely, constitutional and legal way, but we also make sure that next year’s spending plan is more thoughtful and responsive to the needs of the people amid the worst crisis in public health in a generation, Velasco said in a statement.
Velasco said the House increased the allocation for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines “by more than three times” to cover more Filipinos, as well as additional funds for the Department of Health (DOH) facility improvement program to help improve the situation in the country. Health Care System.
“The version of the budget approved by the House also has additional funds for the Department of Labor and Employment to help workers displaced by COVID-19 and for the Department of Social Welfare and Development for another round of financial assistance to families affected by the pandemic, ”Velasco said.
The House was originally set to transmit the proposed 2021 budget to the Senate on October 28. This means that the lower house will broadcast the GAB one day earlier than expected.
A small committee in the House tasked with receiving and resolving adjustments to the proposed 2021 budget previously approved P20 billion worth of institutional amendments.
The breakdown of this amount is as follows:
- P5.5 billion for the COVID-19 vaccine;
- P4 billion for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to help displaced workers;
- P2 billion for pandemic assistance to affected families;
- P2 billion for the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facility Improvement Program (HFEP) to upgrade and equip hospitals;
- P2 billion for the acquisition of C-130 aircraft by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);
- P2 billion for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to mobilize the assets of the Philippine National Police (PNP);
- P1.7 billion for the Department of Education (DepEd) for the Internet needs of schools;
- 400 million pesos for the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) for the development of renewable energies;
- P300 million under the Department of Health (DOH) for mental health programs
- P100 million for the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to improve and modernize its system
EDV
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
