The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has informed the public that the national budget for 2022, which is expected to be P5.024 trillion, will be submitted to Congress on time.

The agency said it “commits to finalize the FY 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and other related budget documents for printing, in time for its submission to both houses of Congress, on or before the 30-day Constitutional deadline.”

The proposed budget was earlier submitted to the Office of the President last July 26, it mentioned.

The programmed budget for next year, according to the DBM, is equivalent to 22.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and is 11.5 percent higher than the national budget for this year.

It added that the proposed 2022 national budget, with the theme “Sustaining the Legacy of Real Change for Future Generations,” went through several budget consultations with agencies and was carefully crafted to support the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response efforts, including the procurement of Covid-19 testing kits, continuous hiring of human resources for health, establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the continuous implementation of health programs in accordance with the Universal Health Care Act.

“In addition, funds for the procurement of the Covid-19 booster shots will also be allocated under the Unprogrammed Appropriations.”

Other essential programs to be supported under this proposed fiscal package include budgetary support for Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, continuous operation of the National ID System, and assistance to poor local governments, the Budget department underscored.

It added that the government will also continue to invest in the Build, Build, Build program, which is projected to create jobs and boost commercial activity around the country, in order to help economic recovery and offer a modernized public transit system.