SEPT.

27, 2013

NR # 3239C

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.s Remarks after Approval on 2nd Reading of GAA
27 September 2013 My Dear Colleagues, before we take our first break, let me thank all of you for your zeal and dedication for your assistance in ensuring that the 16 th Congress hits the ground running and moves forward vigorously in the task of laying the foundation of good policies and laws that will redound to national development. Already we have submitted to the President for his action the enrolled copy of the SK Elections Postponement Bill, which we expect to be the very first law passed in this Congress. Allow me to commend all of you for your painstaking work and efforts in the deliberation of the national budget. With what I have witnessed, I expect that we in the 16 th Congress will rise to the challenge of passing the national budget on schedule. As the 15 th Congress showed how it is possible to make a re-enacted budget which is used to be done in the past and a thing of the past, so do I expect that through our due diligence and attention on this matter, we shall be on time once again. The national government budget is one of the most significant legislation that we pass in Congress. And I am elated at the efforts of every Member from both the Majority led by the Hon. Neptali Gonzales II, the Appropriations Committee Chairman Isidro Ungab and the Vice Chairmen of the Committee, and our Minority headed by Hon. Ronaldo Zamora to pass a budget that will be truly responsive to the needs and demands of our people. Truth to say, most if not all of us have something to say about this budget. And we would have wanted to interpellate the sponsoring members or chairmen or vice chairmen of the Appropriations committee. However, in 2 weeks given us was simply not enough. And therefore, I would like to say a special thank you to those congressmen, from Majority and even in the Minority who have taken the trouble of interpellating the sponsors of this budget. Listening to the interpellations, I can say that our colleagues did their work with great interests, with great information at hand for painstakingly and at times too lengthily. Nonetheless, they contributed immensely to the work and I would like to thank them. For the first time we will pass a budget that not only identifies the various items and objects of expenditure, but also presents the results that we want to achieve, and the major final outputs that departments and agencies must deliver according to their mandates. The 2014 Budget is crafted as a budget for inclusive development, whatever some may say, it is for inclusive development, and can serve as a powerful tool that will help sustain the positive momentum of growth and reform that is upon us and has been with us for the past three years.

At this point, let me name and congratulate the heads of the Six Cluster Committees: Deputy Speaker Henedina Abad for Economic Cluster I, Deputy Speaker Carlos Padilla for Economic Cluster II, Deputy Speaker Pangalian Balindong for Social Services Cluster, Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno for Governance Cluster, Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao for Legal and Political Cluster I, and Deputy Speaker Sergio Apostol for Legal and Political Cluster II. I am pleased that at this point, the various House Committees have already been formed, and their respective Chairmen have been appointed by this Body. I hope that with our approval of the Appropriations Bill on Second Reading tonight, we can all start to buckle down and ensure the speedy passage of measures in the legislative mill. We are working tonight for the past months, amidst the PDAF controversy that is hounding our institution, I am truly inspired by everyones capacity to go beyond the realm of self interest and to think collectively of what is best for the sake of the continued integrity of our institution. With the commitment and cooperation which you have showed, I expect that the 16th Congress will rise above the prevailing challenge, stronger than ever and enjoying even greater trust from our people. My dear Colleagues, let us allow the light of truth to shine the brightest in our institution, and let the trust and confidence of our people always remain in this institution and in each and every one of us. Thank you once again to all of you, and may you have a fruitful break! God bless us all! (30)