BUDGET SCRUTINY
HOUSE Committee on Appropriations chair Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co has vowed to facilitate a comprehensive and transparent budget deliberation process that will ensure the prudent allocation of resources.
Co is responding to the call of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to pass the proposed 2024 national budget within five weeks and ensure transparency and respect for the minority voice.
The proposed national budget is P5.768 trillion.
Serving as the chairman of the committee, Co comprehends the pivotal responsibility he holds in this momentous undertaking.
Speaker Romualdez expressed his confidence in the House of Representatives’ ability to meticulously deliberate on and pass the General Appropriations Bill within a tight timeframe.
Co emphasized that this vital piece of legislation should be handled with utmost dedication and responsibility.
“I can assure everyone that the House of Representatives will not take a break until and unless we have passed this very important piece of legislation,” he stated.
“I am honored to take on this responsibility and contribute to the timely passage of the 2024 General Appropriations Bill. Our duty is to diligently assess each proposed budget item and make informed decisions that will benefit our country and its citizens, particularly the marginalized segments of society,” he added.
Co echoed Speaker Romualdez’s call for active participation, respectful discourse, and consensus-building among all members of the Appropriations Committee.
He emphasized that the meticulous examination of the proposed national budget is crucial to sustaining the progress achieved in the previous year and aligning with the nation’s socioeconomic agenda.
“We are entrusted with the power of the purse, and it is our duty to ensure that every taxpayer’s contribution is utilized wisely and effectively. By maintaining accuracy, objectivity, and transparency throughout this process, we can guarantee that the P5.768 trillion budget will be put to the best possible use for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he also said.
