House transmits P4.5T national budget to Senate ahead of schedule

The House of Representatives will transmit its approved version of the 2021 General Appropriations Bill to the Senate on Tuesday, October 27, ahead of schedule.

The proposed P4.506-trillion budget, designated as House Bill 7727, aims to bolster the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate economic recovery.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco highlighted that the budget was crafted to be responsive to the needs of Filipinos during the health crisis.

Key allocations in the budget include a more than three-fold increase for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines to cover a larger portion of the population.

Additional funding has also been allocated to the Department of Health for its facilities enhancement program to improve the healthcare system.

The budget bill also provides increased support for the Department of Labor and Employment to assist workers impacted by the pandemic.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will receive additional funds for another round of financial aid to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.