Members of the House of Representatives approved the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan’s (AFAB) proposed 2019 budget during the plenary deliberation on the proposed House Bill (HB) 8169 or the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) held at the House of Representatives last 26 September 2018.

Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson and 2nd District Albay Representative Hon. Joey Sarte Salceda sponsored the AFAB budget during interpellations led by Committee on Rules Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Anthony M. Bravo.

The proposed 2019 budget for AFAB will be allotted primarily for priority projects which include the expansion and building of additional housing, power supply system, and standard factory buildings with corresponding utilities – all consistent with AFAB’s action agenda of “SOFT HEART” (Socially relevant, Operationally viable, Financially feasible, Technologically advanced, Housing, Expansion areas, Accessibility, Renewable energy and Transportation).

In the Senate budget deliberations last 04 September 2018, Finance Subcommittee Chairperson Joseph Victor Ejercito, commended AFAB’s success on increase in investments, improvement in business facilitation systems and surge in employment generation since 2010.

The HB 8169 or the Fiscal Year 2019 General Appropriations Bill authorizes a national budget of P3.757-trillion for next year. Pursuant to the administration’s goal of making the Philippines attain upper middle income status and become a globally competitive economy by 2022, among the key budget priorities identified by the President are investments intensifying infrastructure development and enhancing social services.

AFAB