Palace: DBM needs to submit budget on Aug. 19

MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday held a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the national budget for 2023, Malacañang said.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the meeting began around 9 in the morning. Marcos' chief legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was present during the meeting, as shown in a video by Radio Television Malacañang,

In a press briefing, Cruz-Angeles said among the topics also discussed were the back-to-school plans of the Department of Education and the country's first case of monkeypox.

The "topmost" topic, she said, was still about government rightsizing.

"The same priorities hold true, the Constitution requires the biggest budgetary allocation for education. So, it’s still the same. Hindi po masyadong nagbago from last year. I would like to remind you that most of the budget was created by the last administration," she told Palace reporters.

In a separate statement, Cruz-Angeles said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would now print the budget documents, which includes the National Expenditure Program (NEP), Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing, Staffing Summary, and the President’s Budget Message.

The DBM will need to submit the budget documents to Marcos on August 19 and should be submitted to Congress on August 22.

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Video from PTV

Sen. Sonny Angara, head of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier said the Marcos administration will likely enforce "more focused spending" as it eyes only a 4-percent increase in next year's budget.

• Gov't eyes 4 pct increase for 2023 budget: Angara

Lawmakers had said they aim to pass the government's P5-trillion budget before the year ends. The Department of Budget and Management this week said it plans to finish working on the 2023 budget and submit it to Congress by August.

• Approval of P5 trillion 2023 budget this year depends on Speaker resolve: solon

Sectors which will get the biggest funding in the proposed 2023 national budget include education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture, noted Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Marcos vowed to prioritize economic recovery, accessible health care to all Filipinos, ease farmers' debt burden, and streamline government functions during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

• Gov't eyes 4 pct increase for 2023 budget: Angara

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