Budget bicam talks to end by January 30

-- Congress is committed to finish its bicameral conference on the proposed PHP3.757trillion budget for 2019 by January 30 so that it could meet its deadline to ratify the measure before session adjourns on February 6, Senator Loren Legarda said Wednesday.

Legarda, chair of the Senate Finance committee, said the next bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2019 national budget will be held on Monday to reconcile the differing provisions in the versions of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The initial meeting of bicam panel was convened on Tuesday to set ground rules, but no major details were discussed.

“I have the commitment of Congressman (Rolando) Andaya, my counterpart at the House, and they’re just reviewing all their amendments and possibly all the Senate amendments which were transmitted to them. And, hopefully by Monday, we will iron out the differences and come out with a compromise on both Houses,” Legarda told reporters in an interview.

Legarda is targeting to transmit the spending bill to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature by February 14.

Legarda said she will defend some Senate amendments before the bicam panel, particularly the restoration of PHP16.796 billion for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) in the budget of the health department, as well as the provision of some PHP800 million for the allowance of teachers to be given during the World Teachers’ Day.

Legarda is also open to televise or live stream the proceedings of the budget bicam.

“It’s fine to put it online to make it public. Of course, everybody is entitled to know what is happening to the budgetary processes,” Legarda said.

The Senate unanimously passed on third and final reading the 2019 General Appropriations Bill on Monday, two months after the House approved the bill on third reading on November 20.