2020 budget for signing on Dec. 21

The committee used the National Expenditure Program in amending the budget. #2020NationalBudget

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda. (ANC)

The 18th Congress wants the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature on 21 December.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee consolidating amendments to the national budget bill stated this in an interview Wednesday, as he said the heads of the bicameral conference committee Senate and House contingents Davao Rep. Isidro Ungab and Senator Juan Engardo “Sonny” Angara committed to ratify next Monday, 9 December the budget.

“The self-imposed deadline is [December 9] and I think it is a reasonable target that by [December 9] we will be signing the bicameral conference committee report.”

“And [on] December 21, hopefully it is with the President. That is the time table,” Salceda said.

According to Salceda, all significant differences on the Senate and House’s respective budget bills have been essentially reconciled.

He said the Senate and House proposed amendments are now considered “irrelevant” as the committee used the National Expenditure Program in amending the budget, saying further that the bicam is the “third house.”

“All [Bicameral Conference Commitee] starts with the NEP so that all disagreeing provisions will be immediately reconciled.”

Ungab earlier expressed hopes that the national budget will pass next week and made commitment that the committee will continue working despite bad weather.

“Both panels agree on the need to pass and approve the national budget before the Christmas break,” Ungab said.