Plenary debates on the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 start tomorrow, with its passage expected before Congress goes on recess by the end of September.

Next year's proposed national spending plan is P500 billion or 9.5 percent higher than this year's P5.268 trillion budget, which the House approved in barely six weeks last year.

The House has again vowed not to delay the annual budget passage.

Speaker Martin Romualez on Sunday vowed that the lower chamber will fast-track the adoption of the 2024 budgetary bill that supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s prosperity and economic recovery roadmap.

The House, he said, intends to make the P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget approved by the end of the month. Mr. Marcos' proposed P5.768 trillion budget for next year under the National Expenditure Program would be the highest in history if approved by Congress.

"We will work morning and afternoon and on Thursday and Friday this week to meet our timeline. The national spending bill is the single most important piece of legislation Congress passes every year," the House chief said.

"Through the national budget, we hope to sustain our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, create more income and job opportunities for our people, and improve their quality of life through the timely delivery of basic social services like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and financial aid," he stressed.

Back in July, the Speaker said the budget will be greenlighted once lawmakers have thoroughly scrutinized it.

While the budget debates are set to wrap up on 27 September, Romualdez said the House can remain in session until 29 September, if necessary, to pass the measure.