Press Release
December 11, 2007

SENATE PASSES 2008 NAT'L BUDGET
Villar calls for strictest accountability of gov't resources

In a record-breaking time, the Senate passed the P1.227-trillion national budget for 2008 after three weeks of marathon deliberations.

Senate President Manny Villar said, "The early passage of the budget mirrors our resolve to set fiscal directions for 2008 in pursuit of a meaningful program addressing the needs of our country and citizens."

"This should also put an emphasis on our call for the strictest accountability of government funds which must serve their rightful purpose," the Senate President stressed.

Topping the list of recipients of the 2008 budget is the Department of Education (DepEd) with P138 billion; followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), P90.72 billion; and National Defense (DND), P50.9 billion. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has P26.8 billion; Transportation and Communication (DOTC), P19 billion; Health (DOH), P16.5 billion; Judiciary, P10.6 billion; and Foreign Affairs (DFA), P10.18 billion.

Under the DepEd budget, P2B has been allotted for the repair of school buildings, P760 million to cover the backlog of classrooms, P420 million for school seats, and P330 million to hire new teachers.

An increase in the allocation for the prevention and control of infectious diseases under the DOH budget has also been provided.

The budget of the Office of the Solicitor General was likewise raised by P81 billion for the implementation of reforms instituted by law in their structure and organization.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology also received P557.033 million for the subsistence allowance of 78,306 prisoners at P60 per day, and P83.555 medical allowance P3 per day.

The budget of the State Universities and Colleges was also augmented by P163.57 million for research and development, new academic programs and additional classrooms and dormitories for students.

The judiciary was also given an additional P250 million to strengthen the system, provide judiciary incentives, and give citizens better access to lawyers.

The Senate president congratulated Finance Committee Chair Juan Ponce Enrile and his colleagues for the early approval of the appropriations measure.

Since Nov. 26, the Senate has conducted morning and afternoon sessions, suspending a number of public hearings to be able to devote its time to the passage of the budget.

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