Proposed 2025 budget ratification top agenda – House solon

Metro Manila, Philippines — Ratifying the proposed P6.352-trillion 2025 national budget is the House of Representatives’ top agenda as it is set to reconvene on Monday, Nov. 4, a lawmaker said.

In a statement on Sunday, Nov. 3, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe said the lower chamber is awaiting the Senate’s approval of the budget proposal to pave the way for a bicameral conference committee.

The bicameral panel will reconcile the differences in the approval of both chambers to produce a common version of the outlay.

“We hope to ratify the bicam report before our Dec. 20 Christmas break. There is enough time to approve the final version of the budget,” Dalipe said.

“As in the past, the spending program for the coming year will be in place before the current fiscal year is over to ensure continuity of spending and seamless implementation of activities and programs,” he added.

The House passed the 2025 appropriations bill on Sept. 25.

The Senate, meanwhile, will begin its plenary deliberations on the national budget on Nov. 6.

Dalipe guaranteed that next year’s budget will be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before 2024 ends.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.