Speaker Jose de Venecia and Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, yesterday assured that the proposed R1-trillion national budget for next year will be approved before the end of November.
"We believe we are within our schedule and we expect plenary budget approval by the third or last week of November," De Venecia said.
De Venecia expressed optimism that the proposed 2006 General Appropriations Act (GAA) could be signed into law by President Arroyo during the last week of December.
"We are working closely with Sen. Manny Villar, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, for the early passage of the GAA. We will not have a reenacted budget next year," the Speaker said.
Turning to another topic, Andaya brushed aside concerns about the reported in-fighting among members of the majority coalition, saying it has no effect on the current budget deliberations.
"Wala yan. It has no effect in our deliberations. Away pamilya lang yan and I expect the Speaker will be able to resolve it by next week," the appropriations chairman said.
Andaya likewise assured that the 160-member House Appropriations Committee will resume its marathon committee budget hearings on Nov. 8. Congress resumes session on Nov. 7.
"We are within our timetable. We expect approval of the budget before the end of November," Andaya said.
