MANILA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Senate on Tuesday approved the 6.352-trillion-peso (107.69 billion U.S. dollars) national budget for 2025.
With a vote of 18-0, the senators approved the 2025 General Appropriations Bill on the third and final reading. One abstained.
The House of Representatives has passed the proposed bill earlier.
The Senate approval paved the way for the Senate and the House of Representatives to convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile their versions.
The lawmakers will finalize the spending plan bill before sending the final version to President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos for his approval and signature.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the proposed 2025 budget is equivalent to 22.1 percent of gross domestic product and 10.1 percent higher than the 2024 national budget. ■
