MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today/July 23 expressed optimism that the 2014 national budget will pave the way for an inclusive and all-encompassing growth which President Aquino promised in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Drilon, who was chair of the Committee on Finance that hears the country's expenditure program, likewise, gave assurance that, with him at the helm, the P2.268-trillion 2014 budget will be passed before the year ends.
The expenditure program for 2014 – submitted today to Congress – is 13.1 percent or P262.1 billion higher than this year’s National Budget.
"I am particularly pleased with the sustained priority being given to health and education systems. I laud the highest budget increase of 45.5-percent budget given to the Department of Health making its 2014 budget P87.1 billion to provide a wider health coverage," said Drilon.
He stressed that the excise tax collections from the Sin Tax Reform Law - touted by Drilon as an anti-cancer law- will augment the budget for health insurance of indigent families next year.
Based on the submitted budget, P35.3 billion is being proposed for the Premium Health Subsidy of 14.7 million indigent families.
Drilon also said he hopes the highest budget yearly being allocated for the Department of Education amounting P336.9 billion for next year will finally enable the agency to put closure to the problems on classroom and school facilities, textbooks, and teachers.
Drilon, as Finance chair in the previous Congress, successfully led the passage of the budget before each fiscal year ends. He said it is vital to the economic growth to have the budget by January 1, so that infrastructure projects can jump-start during the summer season to take advantage of the good weather.
"I am confident that our fellow senators, whether from majority or minority blocks, will scrutinize the proposed outlay objectively, bearing in mind the greatest needs of our people, especially the poorest of the poor," said Drilon.
He added: “Ang sabi ng Pangulo: ‘Ang stratehiya: Sagarin ang oportunidad para sa lahat, lalo na para sa mga mas nangangailangan. Hindi natin pakay maghintay ng trickle down; hindi puwedeng baka sakali o tsamba lang silang daratnan ng mga biyaya ng kaunlaran. Ito pong tinatawag nating inclusive growth—itong malawakang kaunlaran—ang mismong prinsipyong bukal ng bawat inisyatiba, bawat kilos, bawat desisyon ng inyong gobyerno.”
“As legislators, it is our duty to ensure that indeed no Filipino, regardless of economic status, will be left behind and that every Filipino will experience a remarkable improvement in his or her life,” said Drilon.
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