House OKs 2024 budget, passes LEDAC-priority bills

MANILA, Philippines — After five weeks of grueling deliberations, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading late Wednesday the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 and passed 20 priority bills of President Marcos.

Administration lawmakers voted 296-3 on House Bill 8980, or the General Appropriations Bill of 2024, which will soon be sent to the Senate for purposes of harmonizing each chamber’s version, and come up with a united budget that will be decided by the bicameral conference committee.

Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the timely passage of the 2024 GAB, stating that it not only demonstrated the commitment of the House to upholding its constitutional role but also underscored its dedication to serving the Filipino people with transparency and accountability.

The House leadership decided to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds, originally designated for non-security departments like the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, to bolster security efforts in the West Philippine Sea.

A significant portion of these funds will now support the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and National Security Council, organizations responsible for intelligence activities and national security coordination, respectively.

20 LEDAC-priority bills passed

Alongside the passage of the 2024 national budget, Congress also approved all 20 of the LEDAC-priority bills of President Marcos, with eight of these already signed into law by the Chief Executive since Congress reconvened session last July 24, Romualdez disclosed.

Among these newly signed laws are Republic Act 11962 (Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act), RA 11956 (Extending the Tax amnesty Availment Period), RA 11958 (Increases