Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate convened recently for a bicameral conference committee meeting to reconcile the disagreeing provisions in the P5.268-trillion proposed 2023 national budget at the Manila Golf Club in Makati City.
In his opening remarks, House Committee on Appropriations Chair and AKO BICOL Party-list Representative Zaldy Co said the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is consistent with the action plan of the Marcos administration to address the rising inflation, socio-economic scarring and low income.
Co pointed out that the country is still on the path to recovery from the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislator said the policy choices they would make in the budget would determine the success of their efforts to transition from the impact of the pandemic.
“In the coming days, they would arrive at a collective decision to reconcile differences, harmonize with the programs of the present administration, and balance them with the needs of their constituents.”
The lawmaker expressed hope that in the coming days, they would arrive at a collective decision to reconcile differences, harmonize with the programs of the present administration, and balance them with the needs of their constituents.
He added that their shared inspiration is to bring a better quality of life for the Filipinos’ future prosperity and advancement.
Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Finance Chair Senator Sonny Angara lauded Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other House leaders for their timely passage of the 2023 GAB.
“The Senate made some amendments to the bill, but kept the essence of the legislative provision set forth under the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework.”
Angara said the Senate made some amendments to the bill, but kept the essence of the legislative provision set forth under the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).
The panel authorized the chairpersons of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Finance Committee to discuss the 2023 GAB, and present the result of their meeting to the bicam panel in the next meeting.
Aside from Co, members of the House contingent to the bicameral conference included: Deputy Speakers Ralph Recto and Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales III, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo, and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, among others.
The Senate contingent, on the other hand, is composed of Senators Angara, Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Ronald Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Mark Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Tolentino, JV Ejercito, Chiz Escudero, and Jinggoy Estrada.
