Proposed 2013 budget focuses on infra devt and social services — Malacañang

The proposed 2013 budget, pegged at P2.006 trillion, gives priority to social services, health, education, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure, Malacañang said Friday.   Budget Secretary Florencio Abad presented the proposal to President Benigno Aquino III, who is now discussing it with his Cabinet, said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.   The amount, subject to the President’s approval, is not yet final.   Valte said Abad will give a presentation of the respective budgets of the different departments, and the President will give his feedback or ask questions on the amounts and computations, as well as the projects involved. “So ‘yon po ‘yon iisa-isahin. What usually happens is that after the President has given his observations, ‘pag meron pong mga tanong, the Cabinet secretaries are on hand to answer the questions of the President,” she said.   When there are still concerns and details that the President wants to be amended or addressed, it is usually Abad that does the refining of the proposed budget, she said.   “Usually po mga a week later nag-i-schedule na po ng meeting with the President and the Secretary of Budget and Management for the President’s final approval,” she said.   When the President approves the proposed budget, it will be called the National Expenditure Program and will be submitted to Congress for deliberation and approval.   The program will be submitted a day after Aquino delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 23.   Valte said the 12th full Cabinet meeting is expected to last the whole afternoon.   Among those who have other official business outside the meeting are Vice President Jejomar Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad, and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez. —VS, GMA News