President Duterte signed last week the measure extending the validity of the P3.757-billion 2019 national budget to Dec. 31, 2020.
Section 1 of Republic Act No. 11464 signed on Dec. 20 amended Section 25 of the 2019 General Appropriations Act to extend the validity of the GAA until next year.
RA 11464 was signed days after Congress ratified the proposed 2020 P4.1-trillion national budget.
“All appropriations authorized in this Act shall be available for release and obligation for the purpose specified, and under the same special provision applicable thereto, until Dec. 31, 2020,” the amendment stated.
Based on the new law, a report on the releases and obligations shall be submitted to the House Speaker, the Senate President, the House Committee on Appropriation, and the Senate Committee on Finance, either in printed form or by way of an electronic document.
The Act originated in the House of Representatives and was passed by the House on Nov. 18. It was amended by the Senate on Nov. 26 and was concurred in by the House of Representatives on Dec. 4.
Sen. Sonny Angara had earlier said the measure will ensure the availability of over P12 billion from the calamity fund and other quick response funds lodged with various agencies.
The measure was seen to help government agencies involved in relief efforts.
Angara added that the measure would also help the Executive branch which had to operate on a reenacted budget during the first few months of the year because of the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget.
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday that Duterte might sign the 2020 national budget in the first week of January. (Argyll Geducos)