Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Philippine National Budget

Is Malacanang ready if Congress fails to enact on time the proposed P1.4 trillion 2009 national budget it has passed? You bet.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has personally told Palace reporters "it would be 'desirable' if Congress could approve the proposed 2009 national budget by December".

She however added that her administration has "lived for many years without the budget being signed in December."

It may be recalled that Congress has failed to enact the proposed outlay, forcing the government to operate under a reenacted budget for the first quarter in the last two years.

The 2009 proposed budget is about 15 percent higher than the P1.227-trillion budget for this year.

She said the proposed budget would address not only the world food and fuel crises but also the funding requirements of the government's priority programs -- environment, education and economy.

Roads, bridges and other public works, along with the farm sector, schools, social welfare and the government's health insurance program, would be the major recipients of the 2009 general appropriations.

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