Duterte to sign 2021 national budget on December 28 — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 on December 28 in Davao City, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the President will be joined by some lawmakers during the ceremonial signing.

The Palace received the copy of the spending plan last Friday as Roque said Duterte would exercise his line-item veto power if needed.

Next year’s budget is expected to fund measures aimed at improving the country’s healthcare system, ensuring food security, increasing investments in public and digital infrastructure and helping communities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around P23 billion has been realigned by lawmakers for the rehabilitation of communities affected by the strong typhoons that hit the country this year. Congress also approved an allocation of P72.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines.

Lawmakers also extended the validity of the 2020 General Appropriations Act until December 31, 2021.

Another proposed legislation passed by Congress seeks to extend the validity of funds under Bayanihan to Recover as One Act until June 30, 2021.

It was not yet clear whether these two proposals, which were certified as urgent by Duterte, will be signed before the end of the year. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News