Manila: The House of Representatives is set to begin its review and deliberation on the PHP6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) this coming Monday, with a target to complete the process by October 10. House Committee on Appropriations chairperson and Nueva Ecija Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing announced the timeline during a joint press briefing alongside Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

According to Philippines News Agency, the deliberations, originally scheduled to start on September 1, have been moved forward following the submission of the NEP. This adjustment allows for an earlier commencement with the Development Budget Coordination Council (DBCC) briefing set for August 18. Suansing expressed the commitment of the House to expedite the process, with an aim to approve the budget on third and final reading by October 10.

The legislative calendar has also been amended, with both the House and the Senate agreeing to extend sessions until October 10 instead of the initially planned October 3. Suansing highlighted several reforms for this year’s budget review, including the abolition of the small committee, a shift towards an open bicameral process, and increased engagement with civil society organizations during committee deliberations.

Ongoing discussions between the House and the Senate are focusing on these proposed reforms, with Suansing working closely with her Senate counterpart, finance committee chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. The primary goal of these reforms is to enhance the bicameral process by concentrating on reconciling disagreements between the two chambers, making the deliberations more transparent and focused on consensus-building.