The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday terminated the deliberations on the PHP10.7-billion proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2024. Committee chair Elizaldy Co emphasized the “paramount importance” of the Office of the President in the performance of the duty of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.” “The presidency is not merely a symbolic figurehead or a ceremonial role. Rather, it is the epicenter of governance, the fulcrum upon which the entire nation pivots. It is a position laden with responsibilities, obligations, and the immense weight of leadership,” Co said. “As the highest elected official, the President bears the immense duty of upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and preserving the unity and welfare of our nation. The President is the embodiment of our collective will, the guardian of our Constitution, and the protector of our rights and freedoms,” he added. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the proposed budget seeks to enable the President to fulfill his duties and fund the various programs, activities and projects of the OP in fiscal year 2024. “As citizens, we must appreciate the OP’s role in shaping the present and future of our beloved Philippines,” Bersamin said. The OP’s budget proposal is slightly higher than this year’s appropriation of PHP10.615 billion. Bersamin said the OP budget proposal will be enough for the presidency to meet the exacting demands of being the head of state, the head of government, the chief executive, and the commander in chief. ‘During these challenging times of rebuilding the nation from the effects of a global pandemic of significant scale, we are asking for a modest increase, but at a rate that is within the norm of prior fiscal years,’ he said. He said the lifting of stringent health restrictions provides an opportunity for the President to conduct the affairs of the state outside the physical confines of his office, such as more meetings and presidential engagements. Bersamin said the budget adjustment would also accommodate the logistical requirements of honoring invitations from foreign leaders to visit their countries, and the making of diplomatic initiatives which will yield job creating investments. He further noted that the proposed budget will allow the OP to revive the implementation of necessary infrastructure works within the Palace complex that were stalled due to the pandemic as well as the gradual restoration and improvement of the Mansion House facilities in Baguio City. Of the PHP10.7-billion budget proposal, 72 percent or PHP7.746 billion would go to maintenance and other operating expenses, 16 percent or PHP1.676 billion to capital outlay, and 12 percent or PHP1.284 billion to personnel services, inclusive of Retirement and Life Insurance Premium and pension
Source: Philippines News Agency