Drilon confident P2.006T budget to be signed before yearend

MANILA, Philippines - The bicameral conference committee is set to finalize the report tomorrow on the proposed P2.006-trillion national budget, Sen. Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday.

Drilon, the Senate Finance Committee chairman, said the committee is expected to sign the final report on the budget on Wednesday when they finally settle the differences between the Senate and House versions.

The report will immediately be submitted for ratification by Congress.

"Once we have reconciled the contentious provisions of the appropriations bill, the bicameral conference committee will immediately submit it to both chambers for ratification,” Drilon said.  

He said that a technical working group was authorized last week by the committee chairs to look into the disagreeing provisions in the budget which are not substantial. He said the group worked through the weekend to come up with the report.

“We will wrap up everything this week, so that we can proceed with the printing of the enrolled bill. We expect it to be signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President by the third week of December,” Drilon added.

“We are confident that on or before December 20, the President should be able to finish reviewing the budget and sign the general appropriations bill,” he said.

The budget, which the Senate approved last Nov. 28, is 10.5 percent higher than this year’s P1.816 trillion.

Earlier, Drilon said the 2013 national budget will provide funding for public services, provide more jobs, better education and improved healthcare services.