Senate OKs proposed 2019 budget on 2nd and 3rd reading

Voting 14-0, the Senate approved on second and third and final reading Monday the P3.7-trillion proposed national budget for 2019.

The plenary approved the committee amendments presented by Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the finance committee.

No senator introduced individual amendments so the chamber approved the bill on second reading.

As the bill was certified urgent, the Senate waived the three-day rule that requires a 72-hour interval before approving a measure on third reading.

The Senate and House of Representatives will convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the disagreeing provisions in their respective versions of the budget bill.

Members of the Senate panel are:

• Sen. Legarda
• Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
• Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
• Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
• Sen. Cynthia Villar
• Sen. Panfilo Lacson
• Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara
• Sen. Nancy Binay
• Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito
• Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

The House panel consists of:

• Rep. Rolandgo G. Andaya Jr.
• Majority Leader Fredenil H. Castro
• Rep. Maria Carmen S. Zamora
• Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta
• Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
• Rep. Federico S. Sandoval II
• Rep. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado
• Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez
• Rep. Corazon N. Nu?ez-Malanyaon
• Rep. Arthur C. Yap
• Rep. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo
• Rep. Danilo E. Suarez
• Rep. Anthony M. Bravo
• Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin
• Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel

One of the contentious issues to be tackled is the deletion of P75 billion from the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, an adjustment made by the Department of Budget and Management without giving the DPWH prior notice.

The fund was realigned in favor of other agencies.

The net decrease under the Allocations to Local Government Units (ALGU) was due to the cut in the increase of GAB in the National Expenditure Program and the addition provided by the Senate.

Legarda said they also reflected realignments within the unprogrammed fund to provide the following:

• P10 billion for the Rice Competiveness Enhancement Fund

• P10 billion for the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Fund

• P18 billion for the Implementation of the Universal Health Care

• P40 billion for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao

Legarda said the Senate restored P16.796 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, and provided P4.797 billion of the P7 billion needed for Human Resource for Health Development—which was partially filled under the General Appropriations Bill in the amount of P2.6 Billion.

She said the allocation for Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients has also been provided for, while the reduction in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget reflected the cut in provisions for right-of-way and various projects that were not part of original proposal submitted by the DPWH to the DBM.

“However, this will be partially offset by the increase in local projects,” Legarda noted. —VDS, GMA News