MANILA – After much delay, President Rodrigo Duterte will finally sign the P3.7-trillion proposed national budget for 2019 on Holy Monday, said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
The Palace official said the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 on April 15 “has already been calendared on the President’s schedule.”
“This year’s national budget – third under the Duterte administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing peace and order situation of the country,” Panelo said.
“We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life,” he added.
The 2019 national budget bill was originally ratified in early February but remained dormant in the House as congressmen said they had to itemize the lump sums before transmitting it to the Senate and the Palace.
After an impasse in the Senate, the budget bill was sent last month to Malacañang for Duterte’s signature after Senate president Vicente Sotto III signed the measure but with reservations.
The government is operating on a reenacted budget and the Palace and finance officials warned staying in this setup could affect the country’s economic growth for 2019./PN
