MANILA, Philippines — Senators have vowed to expedite budget deliberations so a new outlay will be approved before the end of the year, amid concerns a reenacted budget could result in delays in implementation of new government projects. The Department of Budget and Management on Tuesday said that based on the Senate-approved timetable, a reenacted budget may have to be implemented for the first quarter of 2019, the first in nine years. This means new programs and projects proposed for 2019 will be unfunded since the previous outlay will be reused next year. The president’s signing of the new budget, it can be done until December 31,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters in Filipino after his Wednesday meeting with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno. A reenacted budget was last experienced when House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was president.

Source: Philippine Star November 29, 2018 04:21 UTC